## New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr Surprises with Gold Medal at Paris Olympics
New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr was surprised to claim gold in the high jump at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 after a dramatic tiebreaker with American Shelby McEwen.
Both Kerr and McEwen cleared 2.36 meters during the regular season, but neither wanted to share the gold. They requested the bar be lowered to 2.34 meters, and Kerr successfully cleared it, while McEwen did not.
This outcome differed from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Qatari Mutazz Essa Barshim shared gold with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi. Barshim finished third this time, clearing 2.34 meters on the fifth bar.
“I was very surprised,” Kerr said, commenting on the tie. “Shelby and I were already a little tired after so many jumps.” He expressed confidence in his remaining energy.
The gold medal is a significant achievement for Kerr, who was the indoor world champion in March 2024 in Glasgow.
For Barshim, this bronze medal is his fourth Olympic medal in four appearances.