Gold medalist Hamish Kerr of New Zealand poses after winning the high jump final on day four of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. Photo / Getty Images
Gold medalist Hamish Kerr of New Zealand poses after winning the high jump final on day four of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. Photo / Getty Images
Olympic champion Hamish Kerr completed the double and made it two world titles in two days for New Zealand, as he claimed high jump gold at the World Athletics Championships.
The Paris Olympics gold medallist added his maiden world title by clearing 2.36m and edging out Korea’s Woo Sanghyeok. CzechJan Stefela claimed bronze.
Kerr’s win added a second title at the Tokyo National Stadium in as many days for New Zealand after Geordie Beamish won the 300m steeplechase a year after they both won indoor world titles at the same meet.
Kerr has won titles at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Indoor Championships, Diamond League final and now the World Athletics Championships.
“Today I had to fight for the gold. It was not an easy final for me,” said Kerr. “Many times I thought I wouldn’t win, but being able to fight and not give up is important.
“Geordie [Beamish] and I won world indoor titles on the same day. He gave me a kick after his win last night, so I had to win, too. It’s really cool to share our best moments together.
“The thing about the high jump I love most is being able to perform and put on a good show. We definitely did it tonight. All the boys shocked me. This competition was very, very special. Winning when the guys aren’t jumping well isn’t fun, so to be able to fight against guys for the gold was special.”
Hamish Kerr of New Zealand celebrates after clearing a third attempt at 2.34m during the high jump final on day four of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. Photo / Getty Images
Kerr and Beamish join Dame Valerie Adams (won shot put four times), Beatrice Faumuina (discus) and Tom Walsh (shot put) as New Zealanders to win world titles.
Kerr and three other athletes remained in the competition when the bar was raised to 2.34m but all missed on their first two attempts.
Woo was the first to advance, clearing with his final jump and looked set for gold before Kerr matched him on his last effort to leave the two to decide gold at 2.36m.
Kerr then soared over 2.36m on his first attempt, equalling the Oceanian record he set to win his first global title at the 2024 World Indoor Championships.
That meant Woo had to clear 2.38m for the win but failed to do so.
Kerr took to the infield for an emphatic lap, reminiscent of his iconic lap of the field in Paris after claiming Olympic gold.
The Kiwi pole vault trio of Olivia McTaggart, Eliza McCartney and Imogen Ayris compete in the final at 10.25pm.
