Kiwi Kerr successfully claims both world and Olympic high jump championships.
Kerr Soars to Gold in High Jump Final, Securing New Zealand's Second Gold Medal at Tokyo Olympics
In a thrilling turn of events at the Tokyo Olympics, Hamish Kerr, a 29-year-old athlete from New Zealand, clinched the gold medal in the high jump final. This victory marked Kerr's second gold medal for his country in the Olympic Games.
The high jump final was a nail-biting contest, with seven jumpers remaining at 2.31 metres. Woo Sang-hyeok, an athlete from South Korea, and Kerr both cleared the bar at this height, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.
Woo, a repeat silver medallist, looked poised to claim the gold as he successfully cleared 2.34 metres at his third attempt, putting him in gold medal position. However, Kerr responded with a clutch jump at the same height, securing his place at the top of the podium.
Kerr's victory came following Geordie Beamish's win in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, which marked New Zealand's first gold medal at the championships. Kerr mentioned that Beamish's victory provided him with motivation to win. Interestingly, both Kerr and Beamish won world indoor titles on the same day.
The high jump final was a first-time champion's game, as both Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi, who are three-time and two-time gold medallists respectively, were unable to compete due to injuries.
In the women's long jump, Malaika Mihambo won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Mihambo is noted as the 2020 Olympic long jump champion.
Meanwhile, American Shelby McEwen failed to qualify for the high jump final.
Kerr's victory marked the end of his world championship demons, as he had failed to qualify for the final at the last two world championships. Jan Stefela, a Czech athlete, took bronze in the high jump final after a countback over Ukraine's Oleh Doroshchuk, as both athletes cleared the bar at 2.31 metres but failed all three attempts at 2.34 metres.
As the dust settles on the Tokyo Olympics, the world of athletics looks forward to the future, with some exciting talents emerging and breaking records. World champion Jefferson-Wooden has suggested that Flo-Jo's record in the 100 metres is in sight. Let's wait and see what the future holds!
