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Dramatic jump-off sees 'Flying Kiwi' Kerr win Olympic high jump gold

olympics10 August 2024 19:20| © AFP
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Hamish Kerr said he was "in shock" after winning the Olympic men's high jump on Saturday to take a rare athletics gold for New Zealand.

Kerr tasted glory after a dramatic jump-off with American Shelby McEwen.

Both men managed bests of 2.36 metres in regular competition, but could not be separated on countback of missed jumps.

They opted for a jump-off, Kerr clearing 2.34m when the American failed after the bar was lowered from 2.38m to 2.36m.

"I was just in shock. Both me and Shelby were getting a little bit tired after all the jumps we took," said Kerr.

"I knew I had a good one in me, and I knew that if I could get it up sooner rather than later, then I could just finish the comp and start recovering."

There was a hint of deja vu at the Stade de France as Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim, who finished third this time, had shared Olympic gold with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi in the Covid-hit Tokyo Games three years ago.

"That has such a special place in history for high jumps," Kerr said.

"To have an exact same scenario this time around, but to choose to do the jump-off, was putting at peace some of those people who wanted to jump-off, so we're both really happy to add to that history."

The discussion Kerr and McEwen shared with officials was short and to the point: both athletes wanted to continue, there was to be no shared gold.

"We're good buddies, good opponents, and good jumpers when we jump together," McEwen said of Kerr.

"He said he wanted to face off, and I was all for it.

"We faced off until the last battle and he came out on top, so salute, congratulations to him. I know I will be back, stronger and fit, better than ever.

"I'm just ready to celebrate this moment."

A ROLLERCOASTER

When McEwen missed his attempt at 2.34m in the jump-off, world indoor champion Kerr had his chance and took it with aplomb.

"High jump's always a rollercoaster, there's always guys who will miss and then clear, and then miss," Kerr said.

"The big thing that we've been working on personally, and me and my team, is it's not over until it's over.

"In the past, I probably got into the habit of watching those guys a little bit, whereas now I wouldn't even know what's going on, I just focus on myself."

McEwen said it felt "amazing" to have bagged silver.

"It's just a blessing and honour to be able to be here completely healthy and get our first Olympic medal (in this event) in a long time," the American said.

"I feed off the crowd, and I jumped my way to a personal best. No better than that."

Barshim took bronze with a best of 2.34m, but Tamberi – struggling with kidney stones – had a night to forget, finishing 11th in the 12-strong field with a best jump of 2.22m.

It was a fourth medal at a fourth Olympics for Barshim, but the Qatari insisted he would not be competing in Los Angeles in 2028.

"You will see me with popcorn, a few more kilogrammes, and watching the guys. This is my last Olympics for sure," said the 33-year-old three-time world champion who won Olympic silvers in 2012 and 2016.

His four medals, he added, were "the legacy I want to leave behind. I have so much to give, maybe now it's my time to give to the next generation and hopefully you'll see the next champion".

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