Canada's Django Lovett finishes 6th in men's high jump final at athletics worlds

It was going so smoothly for Canada's Django Lovett in the high jump final on Monday at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore.

He was flawless through seven jumps and seemed poised to make a push for the podium at Hayward Field.

But with pressure mounting in the final, the 30-year-old from Surrey, B.C., was unable to clear what would have been a season-best height of 2.30 metres and finished sixth in the event.

Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim was the only man to clear 2.37m, claiming the gold medal at worlds after winning Olympic gold a year ago in Tokyo.

It's Barshim's third world championship title.

Woo Sang-hyeok of Korea set a national record by clearing 2.35m, securing silver. Andriy Oleksiyovych Protsenko of Ukraine cleared a season-best 2.33m to win bronze.

WATCH l Lovett finishes 6th at worlds:

During qualifying, Lovett was perfect through four jumps and was just one of six men to clear 2.28m on the first attempt. That 2.28m mark matched Lovett's season-best height. 

But with the height moving up in the final, Lovett was unable to clear 2.30m on his first attempt. In fact, only four of the remaining ten jumpers cleared the height on their first attempt.

Lovett nearly made it over on his second attempt at 2.30m but just touched the bar, enough to knock it over.

He clapped his hands trying to fire up the crowd prior to his last attempt, but was unable to clear the height.

This second worlds appearance couldn't have been more different for Lovett compared to his debut three years ago in Doha.

Back then, he bowed out at a height of 2.22m, finishing 23rd and failing to advance out of qualifying. 

In his Olympic debut last summer, Lovett was able to get to the final, finishing 8th. 

Canada's Jerome Blake and