Hamish Kerr was just seven years old when he watched New Zealand triathlete Hamish Carter win a gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Twenty years on, the world indoor high jump champion and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner is one of New Zealandโs brightest track and field gold medal hopes as he prepares to head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
โI always loved athletics at primary school. Over the years, I took it more and more seriously as I realised I could be pretty good at it!โ smiles the 1.98-metre athlete.
โAs a child, I was always outside playing sports. I played football and rugby mainly, then athletics in the summer.
โBut it wasnโt until I equalled the then-national high jump record of 2.30 metres in 2019 that I truly realised the dream of being an Olympian could be achieved.โ
The Christchurch-based star, whose 2.36-metre jump in Glasgow in March secured him not just gold, but also the highest jump of the year worldwide, is spurred on by a small village of supporters, including his father Andrew, mum Bridget, girlfriend and fellow high-performance athlete Maddie Wilson, 22, and his best friend-turned-coach James Sandilands.
โIโve looked up to Mum and Dad my whole life,โ says Hamish, 27. His mum Bridget is a speech therapist, and dad Andrew is a cardiologist at Aucklandโs Middlemore Hospital. โI didnโt idolise athletes when I was growing up. But Dadโs work ethic and his commitment to achieving his goals is as strong as any athlete Iโve ever met. Heโs the perfect example of how the habits and routines of high performers can be found in anyone, not just Olympians.โ
When heโs on the track, having his best mate by his side has been a huge asset for Hamish as he prepares for Paris and, hopefully, an Olympic medal.
โJames and I competed together at high school, but we didnโt really know each other as I grew up in Auckland and he was from Timaru. I always looked up to him as he was so much better than me!
โWhen I moved to Christchurch to train full-time in 2018, I met him again at the track. He happened to have a spare room available at his flat when I was looking for somewhere to live. James, his now-wife Hannah and I all lived together for about two years and became close.โ
At the time, James was transitioning from being an athlete to a coach. He joined Hamishโs support team as a biomechanist โ someone who studies the mechanical aspects of human motion, helping to improve athletesโ performance and reduce injury.
โI never thought I wanted him as my coach as we are such close friends. I didnโt want to jeopardise the relationship,โ admits Hamish. โBut when my old coach decided to step back, he was the perfect person to step into the role.โ
Once they step away from work, though, the pair make time to just hang out โ as he does with Maddie, with whom he also trains.
โWe spend a lot of time together, in training and out,โ says Hamish. He describes his perfect day โat the beach sunbathing with a good book and a nice meal out with Maddieโ.
But at the moment, the focus for Hamish and his team is making the most of every minute.
โThere are so many ways to be an amazing athlete,โ he explains. โFor me, itโs about optimism and discipline. A lot of my training is very repetitive, so discipline and not straying from your routine is vital.โ
He does, however, have one Achillesโ heel โ food.
โIn terms of nutrition, Iโm not as strict as youโd probably think,โ he says. โI focus on having three good meals a day โ especially breakfast โ and not having too many unhealthy snacks. Thatโs easier said than done as I love snacking. Whether itโs a bag of lollies, a block of chocolate or a bag of chips, sign me up!โ
While that all-important Olympic medal is a focus for Hamish, itโs not the main thing heโs looking forward to. The talented athlete says heโs just looking forward to competing on the world stage.
โCovid made the last Olympics pretty restricted. This time Iโm really looking forward to experiencing the buzz of Paris as Olympic fever ignites the city,โ he says. โIโm so looking forward to it. I love the feeling when all the hard work pays off. When you win at a competition or achieve a personal best.โ
