"I think when I missed at 2.26m it was the best for me, because then I started to think about what I was doing and not just running. I got into the mood and made 2.30m on my first jump," he said.
The final was a struggle between Barshim and the USA's David Smith. Only three men cleared 2.21 meters. Naoto Tobe of Japan heldion for bronze courtesy of a clean sheet until that point.
Barshim cleared 2.24 meters the first time around and took sole hold of the gold medal position for the first time in the competition. It took Smith two tries to improve his personal best by 1 centimeter and remain in contention.
The bar was raised to 2.26 meters, a height only Barshim had mastered before.
Barshim was able to clear it but Smith could not and settled for silver. With the gold medal secure, Barshim asked for the bar to be moved at 2.30 meters. He cleared it on the first attempt, but was unable to cross the bar at 2.32 meters, although his first try was agonizingly close.