First - Raul SPANK, GER
Yes, you could say that I am quite a critical person. I will analyse my jumps always right after the execution. I made it to the final but technically there are still some things I could improve. For me, every jump is a technique training. Especially as this indoors season I could not do a lot of jumps because my knee was giving me some slight problems. I am quite confident for the final because when I cleared 226 and 229 I did well. I can now pose within myself, this gives me self-confidence. In Daegu, it was different because I made it to the final without having cleared 231, so I was lacking confidence in the final then.
First - Mutaz Essa BARSHIM, QAT
I was very young when Doha hosted the World Indoor Championships in 2010, but it was an important step in my career. Jumping 2.37 this year gave me a lot of confidence coming into Istanbul. It felt like Moncton (winning World Junior title). I have my dad supporting me here. I feel in good conditions and it is hard to say what's going to happen tomorrow, but it will be very competitive.
Sixth - Jesse WILLIAMS, USA
There are some things I need to work out on the track, like my run-up. I think I can really jump high, I am very excited. Unfortunately we stopped qualification at 229, so there will be ten guys in the final.
