Reigning Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr has always carried with him an infectious passion for athletics, and it shows in every leap he takes.
Fresh off his victory at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, where he cleared 2.25m to top a fiercely competitive field.
Now, as he prepares for another thrilling showdown against Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Rome, Hamish reflects on his passion for athletics and what keeps him soaring to new heights.
A Natural Competitor
For Hamish Kerr, the love of competition is what drives him.
“I love to compete,” he said in a recent Diamond League press conference.
“For me, I always want to jump as high as I can. I don’t want to compromise any height. It’s all about where I am in my training. It’s getting better and better, and I’m sure tomorrow will be a continuation of that. I’m looking forward to competing with Tamberi.”
Currently leading the Diamond League high jump standings with 15 points, Hamish Kerr is proving himself as one of the sport’s most consistent performers. But his journey to the top wasn’t just about talent, it was about finding the right sport that matched his competitive spirit.
Why Athletics?
Unlike team sports, athletics offered Kerr something unique, a direct way to measure his progress against the best in the world.
“I think I was always a sporty kid,” he shared.
“For me, athletics was about loving the feeling of doing a personal best and really measuring myself against anyone in the world on any given competition.”
“Something I loved as a kid was those numbers, being able to push harder and see results. Every year, I got better. Now I’m here doing what I love, and that’s what keeps me here. I just love athletics and love jumping.”
Training Technique
Kerr’s success isn’t just raw talent, it’s a meticulous balance of physical, technical, and mental preparation.
“It’s a bit of a balance of physical attributes, technical attributes, and mental focus,” he explained.
“For the physical side, we try to be as fast as possible while maintaining control. At the moment, I’m feeling quite strong, and I believe I’ve done good training.”
With the world lead still held by Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk (2.34m), Kerr knows the competition will only get tougher as the Diamond League season progresses.
A Night of Fireworks in Rome
The 2025 Golden Gala Pietro Mennea promises to be one of the season’s standout meetings, with the men’s high jump taking centre stage. Tamberi makes his seasonal Diamond League debut in front of his home fans, while USA’s Harrison, fresh from focusing exclusively on high jump after his Tokyo double, looks to regain top form.
Italy’s Stefano Sottile, a former World U18 champion, and Korea’s Asian champion Woo Sang-hyeok add further intrigue to a packed field.
Meanwhile, Mattia Furlani, a long jump bronze medallist from Paris 2024 and world indoor champion, returns to the scene of his U20 world record as he eyes another big leap in front of his home crowd.
