Hamish Kerr has ensured August 10, 2024 will go down as New Zealand's best day in Olympic history.
Kerr leaped to the gold medal in a thrilling men's high jump final that went to a jump-off at Stade de France on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time), New Zealand's third gold medal on Day 15 at the Paris Olympics.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The 27-year-old equalled his own national record of 2.36m at the first attempt, then successfully cleared 2.34m in the jump-off for gold with American Shelby McEwen, taking off running down the middle of the field in celebration, arms extended wide.
Kerr easily cleared the early heights of 2.17m, 2.22m and 2.27m with his first goes. But like the qualification round, when he struggled to get over 2.17m, Kerr almost went out early at 2.31m before clearing the mark with his third attempt.
He then hit his stride, successful at 2.34m and 2.36m with his first jumps to sit in pole position as the field shrunk to eight, and then six, and then four, before being guaranteed a medal.
The Christchurch athlete and McEwen both missed all three attempts at 2.38m, with Kerr going close on his second, forcing the jump-off.
Both missed for a fourth time at 2.38m, then at 2.36m. Jumping first, McEwen just clipped the bar with his attempt at 2.34m, setting the stage for Kerr, who glided in and over for New Zealand's first Olympic high jump medal.
Kerr's gold completed a great day for The NZ Team, with canoe sprinter Lisa Carrington getting it started with her eighth Olympic gold medal in the women's K1 500m, followed by golfer Lydia Ko completing her set of Olympic medals with gold.
It also took New Zealand's team in Paris to nine golds, beating the record at a single Summer Games set in Los Angeles 40 years ago.