New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr won the men’s high jump gold medal in an exciting competition at the Paris Olympics.
Kerr, 27, battled American Shelby McEwen in a thrilling jump-off after both athletes cleared 2.36 meters but missed 2.38 meters three times. The jump-off started at 2.38 meters and went down to 2.34 meters. Finally, Kerr succeeded in clearing 2.34 meters, while McEwen missed, securing the gold for Kerr.
Kerr’s victory was hard-earned, as both athletes made 14 jumps throughout the event. Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim took the bronze medal, having cleared 2.34 meters. Kerr’s performance showed his resilience; he began the competition at 2.17 meters and successfully cleared each subsequent height until 2.31 meters, which took three attempts. He then cleared 2.34 meters and 2.36 meters on his first tries, matching his personal best.
This win adds to Kerr’s impressive track record. He is the current world indoor champion and Commonwealth Games champion and has won two major meetings on the Diamond League circuit. Although Kerr finished 10th in the Tokyo Olympics, his determination paid off in Paris, where he nearly didn’t qualify for the final after missing twice at 2.20 meters during the preliminary round.
Kerr recalled watching the Tokyo Olympics high jump final, where the gold medal was shared. He discussed the idea of sharing gold with his team but decided to pursue victory in his own way. Kerr’s focus remained steady throughout the long event, aided by the energetic crowd.
His triumph makes him only the third New Zealander to win a field event gold medal at the Olympics, joining Yvette Williams and Val Adams. Kerr’s victory, alongside the gold medals won by Lisa Carrington in kayaking and Lydia Ko in golf earlier the same day, contributed to New Zealand’s historic achievement of winning nine gold medals at the 2024 Olympics, surpassing their previous record of eight golds in 1984.
