Hamish Flies High To Achieve New Zealand First | Scoop News – Scoop

Thursday, 4 August 2022, 10:52 amPress Release: Athletics New Zealand

On an historic night for New Zealand athletics at theBirmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Hamish Kerr celebrated abrilliant gold medal in the mens high jump, Maddi Weschesnared bronze in the womens shot put and Zoe Hobbsfinished sixth up against a world-class field in thewomens 100m final.

In the mens high jump,Hamish Kerr proved a class apart to dethrone defendingchampion Brandon Starc of Australia with a best clearance of2.25m to become the first Kiwi gold medallist (or medallistof any colour) in the mens high jump at a CommonwealthGames.

The history-defining athlete, who earlier thisyear became the first New Zealander to win a global highjump medal with bronze at the World Indoor Championships inMarch, once again achieved another huge milestone momentwith a dominant display.

Hamish, the New Zealandrecord-holder with a best of 2.31m, looked in total controlclearing his opening height of 2.15m at the first time ofasking and maintained his flawless record with first timeclearances at 2.19m, 2.22m and 2.25m to pile the pressure onhis opposition. Looking relaxed throughout he spent largechunks of the competition chatting amiably to his fellowcompetitors.

Starc was the only athlete in the 13-manfield who could respond also soaring above 2.25m with hisfirst attempt, however as the Australian sustained someearly misses the amiable Auckland-raised but nowChristchurch-based athlete knew he was in control of thecompetition on countback.

As the bar was raised to2.28m the greater pressure was thrust upon the Australianjumper, who knew to dislodge the New Zealand champion fromgold he would have to make a successful clearance.

Thetruth Starc never came close, and although Hamish spoiledhis otherwise flawless record as he too missed out on thatheight with his three attempts, it did not matter one bit asthe Kiwi was crowned Commonwealth champion oncountback.

Tejaswin Shankar of India claimed bronzewith a best of 2.22m.

An elated Hamish said: Thisis unreal. I knew I came in with some pretty good form butat the same time to get it done tit is amazing. The stadiumis awesome, and I fed off that energy. Im inshock.

I was confident, but I knew there were someguys in that field who can jump pretty high, adds Hamish.I knew I couldnt take my foot off the accelerator, soI was looking towards the next jump. As the other guys thenstarted to falter, I could see that I was in a pretty goodposition.

I back myself (to perform well in bigcompetitions) and I think I am a real competitor. I love thesport, I love jumping and I love jumping in front of a crowdso tonight definitely got me going.

It has been along year for me, and Ive been away from New Zealandsince May, which is the longest stint Ive ever had awayfrom home. That has created its challenges. My coachwasnt able to come with me for a quite a while because hehad Covid, so Ive been chasing form a little bit but toget it done is a massive relief.

Maddi Weschemaintained New Zealands incredible shot put tradition bywinning a bronze medal in a drama-filled climax to thecompetition inside a packed and buzzing AlexandraStadium.

The 23-year-old Aucklander, who last monthset a PB of 19.50m to place seventh in the WorldChampionships, took early control of the competition with animpressive opener of 18.84m.

The former World U20champion could not extend on that in round two, hurling themetal ball out to 18.54m but she maintained her position inprovisional gold as some of her main rivals struggled tofind their rhythm.

However, an 18.98m put by defendingchampion Danniel Thomas-Dodd elevated the Jamaican into topspot in round three as the Kiwi produced a best of17.86m.

Maddi unleashed what looked a huge throw inround four but lost her balance out of the circle andunfortunately registered a foul, and with no change to theoverall picture she remained in provisionalsilver.

The medal positions picture remained static inround five as Maddi registered a further foul, althoughWorld Championship fourth place finisher Sarah Mitton ofCanada, who had up until that point endured a below-parcompetition, was showing signs of finding her rhythmpowering the shot out to 18.29m in round five.

And itwas Mitton who turned the competition upside down in thefinal stanza, as the 20m plus thrower uncorked a 19.03meffort to move into gold relegating Maddi intobronze.

Neither the Kiwi - with a final effort of18.48m - nor Thomas-Dodd could respond to the challenge, butMaddi had the huge consolation of picking up her maideninternational senior medal.

It was also New Zealand12th ever medal in a womens shot put adding to the sevengold medals and four silver medals won at previous editionsof the Commonwealth Games.

It was a really goodopener (of 18.84m) I thought I would climb from there butIm not going to complain with a bronze medal

Thecrowd was crazy. I dont think Ive ever competed in acrowd like it, you just have to thrive off it. Id comeback to this atmosphere any day. I have at least a couplemore years to grow as an athlete, but I Im gettingthere.

Zoe Hobbs enjoyed another thunderous nightof sprinting as the New Zealander speedster finished sixthin a world-class final of the womens 100m.

TheKiwi, who last month reached the semi-finals at the WorldChampionships and recorded an Oceania record of 11.08, hadearlier impressed in her semi-final finishing second in11.15 - just 0.10 behind Olympic champion ElaineThompson-Herah - to become the first Kiwi since Briar Toopto reach a womens Commonwealth 100m final for 32years.

Zoe, who time and time again over the past sixmonths or so has been the master of the seeminglyimpossible, looked calm and composed ahead of the finalwhich featured six sub-11 second performers.

Blitzingout of the blocks and making an impressive start the firsthalf of the race the Taranaki-raised athlete was in medalcontention until the stellar field started to pile on thepressure in the latter stages.

Retaining her cool theKiwi maintained her form to cross the line in sixth in 11.19behind Thompson-Herah who proved too good for the restrecording 10.95 (+0.4m/s) 0.06 clear of silver medallistJulien Alfred of St Lucia. Englands Daryll Neita wonbronze in 11.07.

I am ecstatic, said Zoepost-race. Just to make the final was incredible. Thefield out there was amazing and to run against the Olympicchampion at a Commonwealth Games was unreal. To finishsixth, I was so stoked.

My starts have been goingreally well, and I just want to compose myself in the last50m which is where Ive been losing it. The idea was toget that start and relax through the second half of therace. I think it paid off as it allowed me to not tightenup.

Zoe, who admits she has had to contend with arecent bout of Covid after travelling back from the WorldChampionships a couple of weeks ago, added of featuring inher first major international final: It is quiteoverwhelming and a new experience, but I loved theatmosphere it was so cool to be a part of.

TwoKiwis are in action in tonights session (NZtime)

10.05pm Keeley OHagan Womens HighJump qualification Pool B

10.34pm Sam Tanner Mens 1500m heat two

For full results go here

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Hamish Flies High To Achieve New Zealand First | Scoop News - Scoop