High-flying New Zealander Hamish Kerr made history at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, soaring to gold in a stirring high jump final on Tuesday night.
The 29-year-old became the first New Zealander to win a world championships medal in the discipline, adding to the Olympic gold he claimed at the Paris Games last year. After clearing every bar up to 2.28m on his first attempt, Kerr was tested at 2.31m, where he needed all three tries to stay in contention.
Full Results – Men’s High Jump Final
- Hamish Kerr (NZL) – 2.36m WL
- Sanghyeok Woo (KOR) – 2.34m =SB
- Jan Štefela (CZE) – 2.31m
- Oleh Doroshchuk (UKR) – 2.31m
- JuVaughn Harrison (USA) – 2.28m =SB
- Sarvesh Anil Kushare (IND) – 2.28m PB
- Tyus Wilson (USA) – 2.28m =SB
- Matteo Sioli (ITA) – 2.24m
- Ryoichi Akamatsu (JPN) – 2.24m
- Yuto Seko (JPN) – 2.20m
- Yual Reath (AUS) – 2.20m
- Thomas Carmoy (BEL) – 2.20m
— Romaine Beckford (JAM) – NM
Pulling on his Olympic experience, Kerr again had to dig deep at 2.34m, missing his first two attempts before sailing over on his third. Indoor champion Sanghyeok Woo of South Korea appeared the most comfortable through the early rounds, but when the bar was raised to 2.36m, it was Kerr who delivered in spectacular fashion, clearing on his first try.
Woo pushed the bar up to 2.38m but failed in his two attempts, leaving Kerr to celebrate as both Olympic and World Champion. His 2.36m clearance matched the height he achieved in the Olympic final, before he opted to save his energy for a jubilant victory lap instead of further attempts.
The victory marked New Zealand’s second gold in as many nights, following Geordie Beamish’s dramatic triumph in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, moving the Kiwi team up to fourth in the overall medal tally.
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