Hamish Kerr of New Zealand has won the men’s high jump gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The Olympic champion cleared a world-leading 2.36m, equaling his own Oceanian record to secure his first global outdoor title.
Kerr’s victory was hard-fought. After he and his main rival, South Korea’s Woo Sang-hyeok, both cleared 2.34m, the competition came down to the final bar at 2.36m. Woo was unable to clear the height, but Kerr, with a flawless first attempt, soared over the bar to claim the outright victory. The win adds to a stellar year for Kerr, who has now won titles at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Indoor Championships, and the World Athletics Championships.
The win also capped a remarkable championship for New Zealand, as it was the country’s second gold medal in two days, following Geordie Beamish’s historic victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
Woo Sang-hyeok took the silver medal with a clearance of 2.34m, while Jan Stefela of Czechia earned the bronze with a jump of 2.31m.
