WATCH: Four Qatari athletes to keep an eye on at IAAF World Athletics Championships

As the world's leading track and field athletes gear up for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, we are eager to see some of our young, dynamic and high-spirited Qatari athletes prove their mettle at the championships.

At least 18 athletes will represent Team Qatar in a variety of events including relay races, steeplechase, high jump, among others, at the major sporting event. 

While the Qatari stars get ready to put their best foot forward at the championships, these are the four highly-promising athletes to keep an eye on:

1. Abderrahman Samba

_{Photo Credit: The Peninsula}

Abderrahman Samba is an accomplished Qatari track and field athlete, who specializes in the 400-meter hurdles. The 24-year-old Qatari hurdler became the second-fastest man in history when he reached the finish line within 47 seconds in the 400meter hurdles at the Diamond League Record last year. 

With several feathers in his cap, Samba is determined to surpass his personal bests to achieve new heights of success!

2. Ashraf Amgad El-Seify

_{Photo Credit: BeIN Sports}

This 25-year-old hammer thrower is a former two-time World under-20 champion. El-Seify is also the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist. His personal best is an 85.57m throw in 2012. 

3. Owaab Barrow

_{Photo Credit: Aspire}

Owaab Barrow is another Qatari hurdler. Aged 18, Barrow is one of the youngest athletes to be competing at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019. He brought pride to the nation with his performance at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, which ended with a gold medal in the 110m hurdles event. 

Barrow has been practicing hard for the championships in Doha, which is one of the next steps in the rising star's career.

In 2020, he will still be able to compete in the IAAF World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya and if his progress keeps going on like this, he might also be a potential participant of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

4. Mutaz Essa Barshim 

_{Photo Credit: Red Bull} 

One of the most celebrated athletes in Qatar, Mutaz Essa Barshim is the world's second-highest jumper.

The 28-year-old world champion, who is the only Qatari athlete to win more than one Olympic medal, registered his personal best with a high jump of 2.43 meters at the 2014 Diamond League meet in Brussels.

‘Mutaz,’ whose name translates as “pride,” is Aspire Academy’s premier graduate. He has secured several medals at the Asian, World and Olympic competitions since a breakthrough year in 2010.

Barshim sights are firmly set upon breaking the 2.45 meter World Record in men’s high jump held by Javier Sotomayor.

Let us know who you're rooting for at this year's IAAF World Athletics Championships, which is set for a phenomenal start in Doha in a few hours. 

We wish all our athletes the best of luck at the IAAF World Athletics Championships. YALLA QATAR!

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