1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,587 --> 00:00:16,107 Speaker 2: Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr. He's back in action 4 00:00:16,187 --> 00:00:19,667 Speaker 2: this weekend for the first time since winning gold in Paris. 5 00:00:19,947 --> 00:00:21,387 Speaker 2: Hamous Kerr for the gold. 6 00:00:21,187 --> 00:00:29,787 Speaker 3: Middle Kiwi's can fly and Hamuskur scales his everest and 7 00:00:29,987 --> 00:00:34,707 Speaker 3: his high jump Olympic champion and he is away hamous 8 00:00:34,827 --> 00:00:37,707 Speaker 3: Cur sprinting around this arena. 9 00:00:38,467 --> 00:00:41,067 Speaker 2: He is one of the star attractions at the historic 10 00:00:41,267 --> 00:00:45,827 Speaker 2: Cooks Classic meeting in Fanganui, Paris. Paralympic champion sprinter and 11 00:00:45,947 --> 00:00:50,467 Speaker 2: a Grimaldi also competing along with other Olympians Sam Tanner, 12 00:00:50,707 --> 00:00:55,347 Speaker 2: Lauren Bruce and Ethan Oliver. Hamish Kerr is with us Hamos. 13 00:00:55,387 --> 00:00:56,947 Speaker 2: Great to get the Chalns to chatty for the first 14 00:00:56,987 --> 00:01:00,187 Speaker 2: time in twenty twenty five. And it is twenty twenty 15 00:01:00,307 --> 00:01:03,387 Speaker 2: five now. How challenging has it been to move on 16 00:01:03,827 --> 00:01:08,707 Speaker 2: and to look forward and refolk after the incredible twenty 17 00:01:08,827 --> 00:01:12,187 Speaker 2: twenty four that you had, including winning Olympic gold in Paris. 18 00:01:13,707 --> 00:01:16,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's definitely been interesting, that's for sure. I mean, 19 00:01:17,427 --> 00:01:19,867 Speaker 4: obviously in the last year it was pretty special. Just 20 00:01:19,907 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 4: been up to celebrate and enjoy what I've done. But 21 00:01:22,387 --> 00:01:24,707 Speaker 4: it's kind of nice that there's a new number on 22 00:01:24,747 --> 00:01:26,107 Speaker 4: the year now and we can just kind of start 23 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:29,027 Speaker 4: looking forward. But yeah, I'm super excited to jump today 24 00:01:29,107 --> 00:01:31,187 Speaker 4: and get into what should be the start of an 25 00:01:31,187 --> 00:01:31,787 Speaker 4: awesome season. 26 00:01:32,027 --> 00:01:34,867 Speaker 2: When did you start training properly again. 27 00:01:38,707 --> 00:01:42,707 Speaker 4: Jumping wise? Probably about three weeks ago, okay, so yeah, 28 00:01:42,787 --> 00:01:45,147 Speaker 4: so it'll be interesting to see what happens, you know, 29 00:01:45,227 --> 00:01:47,507 Speaker 4: in terms of competing so quickly after that. But I've 30 00:01:47,547 --> 00:01:50,467 Speaker 4: been sort of in training since about November, just not 31 00:01:50,587 --> 00:01:53,507 Speaker 4: really seriously, and then and then sort of once all 32 00:01:53,547 --> 00:01:55,507 Speaker 4: the Christmas New Year's stuff kind of got out of 33 00:01:55,547 --> 00:01:57,787 Speaker 4: the way, then we've started to crack back into it. 34 00:01:57,947 --> 00:02:00,147 Speaker 4: But I mean the thing is this year, as obviously 35 00:02:00,187 --> 00:02:02,987 Speaker 4: we're looking towards September and that been our World Champs. 36 00:02:03,067 --> 00:02:04,867 Speaker 4: So yeah, there's still a week bit of time to come. 37 00:02:05,707 --> 00:02:08,267 Speaker 2: This is, though, a lot earlier in your training block 38 00:02:08,347 --> 00:02:10,747 Speaker 2: than you would usually compete, isn't it. So why have 39 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 2: you decided to get under weigh this early? 40 00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:16,787 Speaker 4: Yeah? No, it is, it is much earlier, I think. 41 00:02:17,347 --> 00:02:19,587 Speaker 4: I mean, look, we've got a great opportunity to compete 42 00:02:19,587 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 4: in New Zealand and it's something that you know, I 43 00:02:21,827 --> 00:02:24,067 Speaker 4: sat down with Jimmy and my coach and we sort 44 00:02:24,067 --> 00:02:26,187 Speaker 4: of identified the fact that it is a pretty cool 45 00:02:26,187 --> 00:02:28,867 Speaker 4: opportunity now to compete in New Zealand and get out 46 00:02:28,907 --> 00:02:30,947 Speaker 4: there in front of his young crowd and give them 47 00:02:30,947 --> 00:02:32,667 Speaker 4: a good show. So I think, you know, there was 48 00:02:32,747 --> 00:02:35,387 Speaker 4: there was a bit of commitment there around around you know, 49 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 4: what I wanted to do domestically. But also I think, 50 00:02:38,267 --> 00:02:40,747 Speaker 4: you know, these days we are in positions where we 51 00:02:40,787 --> 00:02:43,267 Speaker 4: do have to compete when we're slightly less than optimal. 52 00:02:43,387 --> 00:02:46,267 Speaker 4: So this is just another case of trying to test 53 00:02:46,307 --> 00:02:48,227 Speaker 4: that and to see how deep we can really push. 54 00:02:48,707 --> 00:02:50,867 Speaker 2: This is quite a special venue for you too, isn't 55 00:02:50,907 --> 00:02:52,507 Speaker 2: Hamish flung? And do we I think you jump what 56 00:02:52,587 --> 00:02:54,587 Speaker 2: to seventeen there in twenty seventeen? 57 00:02:54,707 --> 00:02:55,067 Speaker 4: Is that right? 58 00:02:55,987 --> 00:02:56,187 Speaker 2: Yes? 59 00:02:56,467 --> 00:03:00,067 Speaker 4: Yeah I did. Yeah. So I have had a lovely 60 00:03:00,107 --> 00:03:03,187 Speaker 4: relationship with K's Gardens over the years. It's a meat 61 00:03:03,227 --> 00:03:06,627 Speaker 4: that I've really enjoyed and done quite well at in 62 00:03:06,707 --> 00:03:08,987 Speaker 4: the past. So yeah, I always love coming back and 63 00:03:09,267 --> 00:03:11,027 Speaker 4: jumping in front of the woman crowd. 64 00:03:11,387 --> 00:03:13,387 Speaker 2: So when you look ahead, I know, you you know, 65 00:03:13,507 --> 00:03:16,907 Speaker 2: in a in a quest for constant improvement where are 66 00:03:16,987 --> 00:03:19,747 Speaker 2: you placing your focus now as you look for you know, 67 00:03:19,867 --> 00:03:23,187 Speaker 2: incremental and significant improvement over the next few months before 68 00:03:23,267 --> 00:03:24,347 Speaker 2: the World Champs. 69 00:03:25,107 --> 00:03:28,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, look, there there's always there's you can 70 00:03:28,747 --> 00:03:30,907 Speaker 4: you can improve everything, right, Like, I mean, there's these 71 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:33,347 Speaker 4: technical changes we can make, and there's there's sort of 72 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:35,747 Speaker 4: physical changes that we can be pushing. But I think 73 00:03:35,787 --> 00:03:37,187 Speaker 4: for me now, you know, one of the big things 74 00:03:37,187 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 4: that we identified post yeah, post post what was an 75 00:03:42,267 --> 00:03:44,827 Speaker 4: amazing last last season, was how do we keep the 76 00:03:44,907 --> 00:03:48,027 Speaker 4: enjoyment and just be sustainable over the next probably two 77 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:50,387 Speaker 4: two and a half years before we really crack back 78 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:53,027 Speaker 4: into the next game. So yeah, I think, you know, 79 00:03:53,267 --> 00:03:55,427 Speaker 4: the big focus now is actually just about enjoying it 80 00:03:55,507 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 4: and you know, not being too too deeply focused around 81 00:03:59,307 --> 00:04:01,507 Speaker 4: what we're trying to do to get better. Obviously that's 82 00:04:01,587 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 4: the team's job and you know, the coaching setups job. 83 00:04:04,147 --> 00:04:06,227 Speaker 4: But for me, like I'm just I'm just happy to 84 00:04:06,227 --> 00:04:09,147 Speaker 4: be back and just enjoying it. So I suppose for me, 85 00:04:09,267 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 4: that's that's the next few months, is just trying to 86 00:04:11,307 --> 00:04:13,667 Speaker 4: get through and be as positive as possible about it. 87 00:04:14,027 --> 00:04:16,627 Speaker 2: So that strikes me as a really interesting balance to strike, 88 00:04:16,907 --> 00:04:18,587 Speaker 2: to say, I have a lot more fun. Yeah that 89 00:04:18,667 --> 00:04:21,747 Speaker 2: sounds like fun, But yeah, you're able also to keep 90 00:04:21,827 --> 00:04:25,467 Speaker 2: laser focused on the things that that will help you 91 00:04:25,587 --> 00:04:26,107 Speaker 2: to improve. 92 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:30,107 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, I mean yeah, Like I mean, as 93 00:04:30,147 --> 00:04:32,427 Speaker 4: I sort of indicated the team that I've got around 94 00:04:32,467 --> 00:04:34,947 Speaker 4: me and the people that are making those hard decisions 95 00:04:34,987 --> 00:04:37,107 Speaker 4: around what I'm actually doing it training, the ore the 96 00:04:37,147 --> 00:04:40,707 Speaker 4: ones who are who are you know, continually making sure 97 00:04:40,747 --> 00:04:43,707 Speaker 4: that I am progressing as an athlete. And then that 98 00:04:43,827 --> 00:04:45,107 Speaker 4: sort of means that when I get to turn up 99 00:04:45,147 --> 00:04:46,747 Speaker 4: to training, I get to enjoy it a wee bit 100 00:04:46,827 --> 00:04:48,867 Speaker 4: more and just sort of take each session as it comes. 101 00:04:48,947 --> 00:04:50,987 Speaker 4: But yeah, I think it is about trying to learn 102 00:04:51,027 --> 00:04:54,307 Speaker 4: that balance of what is fun and also for me, 103 00:04:54,987 --> 00:04:57,307 Speaker 4: you know, I am in the lead athlete, getting better 104 00:04:57,427 --> 00:05:00,707 Speaker 4: is fun, and so you know, at a point where 105 00:05:00,907 --> 00:05:03,267 Speaker 4: you know, now I'm starting to take it a bit 106 00:05:03,267 --> 00:05:05,227 Speaker 4: more seriously, I actually do find a lot of enjoyment 107 00:05:05,267 --> 00:05:06,907 Speaker 4: in that as well. So yeah, I think I think 108 00:05:06,907 --> 00:05:08,467 Speaker 4: they go hand in hand quite nicely. 109 00:05:08,627 --> 00:05:12,707 Speaker 2: So the World Outdoor Champs Tokyo September, you must you 110 00:05:12,787 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 2: must feel as though you're a real shot, do you 111 00:05:15,267 --> 00:05:16,867 Speaker 2: at at winning gold there? 112 00:05:17,947 --> 00:05:20,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely, I mean, that's the focus, right is to 113 00:05:20,267 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 4: try and try and tick off that that final big 114 00:05:23,347 --> 00:05:26,227 Speaker 4: global global title, which is the one that I don't have. 115 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:29,027 Speaker 4: So yeah, I do think that I'm capable of doing it. 116 00:05:29,147 --> 00:05:31,947 Speaker 4: But at the same time, you know, like like I've 117 00:05:31,947 --> 00:05:34,427 Speaker 4: said time and time again, there's some some pretty talented 118 00:05:34,507 --> 00:05:36,187 Speaker 4: guys in the field of high jump at the moment, 119 00:05:36,267 --> 00:05:38,427 Speaker 4: and so you know, for me, it's about doing as 120 00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:40,507 Speaker 4: much as I can, but knowing those boys will also 121 00:05:40,587 --> 00:05:43,187 Speaker 4: be doing all they can to you know, push me 122 00:05:43,227 --> 00:05:43,987 Speaker 4: off that top spot. 123 00:05:44,467 --> 00:05:46,987 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, sort of medalist from Paris, Shelby mcew and 124 00:05:46,987 --> 00:05:49,227 Speaker 2: he's only twenty eight, same age as you, so presumably 125 00:05:49,267 --> 00:05:51,707 Speaker 2: he'll go round again. What about Muta's Bashem and Jim 126 00:05:51,827 --> 00:05:55,387 Speaker 2: Marco Tamburry are they I think bash might have retired. 127 00:05:55,387 --> 00:05:56,427 Speaker 2: Here's tam Bury retired. 128 00:05:57,227 --> 00:06:01,347 Speaker 4: You'd have to ask them, Ah, what are you hearing? 129 00:06:01,947 --> 00:06:05,267 Speaker 4: Oh mate, honestly, you hear everything. Hear everything on the 130 00:06:05,387 --> 00:06:07,747 Speaker 4: on tour. It's it's you know, I mean, I'm pretty 131 00:06:07,787 --> 00:06:10,307 Speaker 4: sure Barshon was supposed to retire about five years ago. 132 00:06:10,387 --> 00:06:12,987 Speaker 4: And Dan Barry's sort of you know, had his last 133 00:06:13,027 --> 00:06:15,787 Speaker 4: season about three seasons in a row. So honestly, mate, 134 00:06:15,907 --> 00:06:18,227 Speaker 4: Like I mean, I'm expecting them to be there. I 135 00:06:18,347 --> 00:06:20,147 Speaker 4: think that they both, you know, have so much more 136 00:06:20,147 --> 00:06:22,347 Speaker 4: they can give to the sport, and they both I 137 00:06:22,427 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 4: think the fact that they both didn't win the games, yeah, 138 00:06:26,147 --> 00:06:28,707 Speaker 4: really really kind of changed it. I had a feeling 139 00:06:28,787 --> 00:06:30,827 Speaker 4: that if either one of them got gold last year, 140 00:06:30,907 --> 00:06:33,747 Speaker 4: they would have retired, but unfortunately I had to go 141 00:06:33,827 --> 00:06:36,547 Speaker 4: and put a scanner in networks. And yeah, I think 142 00:06:36,587 --> 00:06:37,347 Speaker 4: I think they'll be back. 143 00:06:37,627 --> 00:06:40,587 Speaker 2: Although, yeah, you've elong gated their careers in other words, 144 00:06:40,627 --> 00:06:41,547 Speaker 2: which I think is a good thing. 145 00:06:41,867 --> 00:06:45,187 Speaker 4: So you know, I aim to continue to elongate their careers. 146 00:06:45,467 --> 00:06:48,107 Speaker 2: Excellent stuff. So are you already sort of starting you 147 00:06:48,187 --> 00:06:50,187 Speaker 2: mentioned before about the you know, over the next couple 148 00:06:50,187 --> 00:06:52,227 Speaker 2: of years two and a half years. Are you already though, 149 00:06:52,267 --> 00:06:55,187 Speaker 2: plotting your path to Los Angeles in twenty twenty eight. 150 00:06:56,587 --> 00:06:58,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean we've had conversations around it, for sure. 151 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:00,667 Speaker 4: I know, I know that I'm going to be there, 152 00:07:00,707 --> 00:07:03,187 Speaker 4: and I know that the goal is definitely to defend 153 00:07:03,227 --> 00:07:07,707 Speaker 4: and potentially jumping on record which is two forty that's 154 00:07:07,747 --> 00:07:09,827 Speaker 4: sort of the goal to sort of get us going 155 00:07:09,907 --> 00:07:13,067 Speaker 4: for the next four years. But yeah, you know, it's 156 00:07:13,107 --> 00:07:15,347 Speaker 4: one thing putting that goal down, and another thing actually 157 00:07:15,387 --> 00:07:16,547 Speaker 4: working out how we're going to get there, And I 158 00:07:16,587 --> 00:07:19,267 Speaker 4: think that's probably where we're trying to focus our energies 159 00:07:19,307 --> 00:07:21,667 Speaker 4: and at the moment as understanding how we can actually 160 00:07:21,667 --> 00:07:21,987 Speaker 4: achieve that. 161 00:07:22,347 --> 00:07:25,227 Speaker 2: How many people do Reckon have seen and touched your 162 00:07:25,267 --> 00:07:27,547 Speaker 2: gold medal in the last few months? Oh? 163 00:07:28,107 --> 00:07:28,667 Speaker 4: Thousands? 164 00:07:29,147 --> 00:07:29,587 Speaker 2: Brilliant? 165 00:07:29,787 --> 00:07:33,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been great, Honestly, it's been awesome. I've really 166 00:07:33,267 --> 00:07:36,347 Speaker 4: you know, I've had the amazing privilege to take around 167 00:07:36,387 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 4: schools and businesses and into various events, and it's pretty 168 00:07:40,707 --> 00:07:42,667 Speaker 4: cool to see just the lock on people's faces when 169 00:07:42,667 --> 00:07:44,747 Speaker 4: they see it for the first time. So yeah, I 170 00:07:44,907 --> 00:07:47,147 Speaker 4: encourage anyone if they see me around to try and 171 00:07:47,187 --> 00:07:49,307 Speaker 4: get me to drag it out. I'm not bringing it 172 00:07:49,347 --> 00:07:52,547 Speaker 4: out as much anymore, but yeah, it's a pretty special 173 00:07:52,587 --> 00:07:53,427 Speaker 4: thing to have, that's for sure. 174 00:07:53,547 --> 00:07:57,027 Speaker 2: Absolutely it is. Well, look brilliant twenty twenty four, hope 175 00:07:57,067 --> 00:07:59,387 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five is just as good for your Hamish 176 00:07:59,387 --> 00:08:00,747 Speaker 2: good The chat is always all the best and fine 177 00:08:00,787 --> 00:08:01,827 Speaker 2: and are we awesome? 178 00:08:01,867 --> 00:08:02,027 Speaker 1: Mate? 179 00:08:02,067 --> 00:08:04,347 Speaker 2: Thanks hates no, thank you, how much Hamish cur there 180 00:08:04,427 --> 00:08:07,627 Speaker 2: Olympic high jump champion back to it this evening at 181 00:08:07,707 --> 00:08:13,067 Speaker 2: the Cooks Classic in Fonganue, fairly iconic track and field event. 182 00:08:13,147 --> 00:08:15,867 Speaker 2: Great to see Hamish Kerr there along with a couple 183 00:08:15,907 --> 00:08:19,587 Speaker 2: of other Olympians, Sam Tana and a Grimaldy Paralympic two 184 00:08:19,667 --> 00:08:22,587 Speaker 2: hundred meter champions. She'll be running tonight as well. I 185 00:08:22,867 --> 00:08:26,227 Speaker 2: believe this is all live streamed on Athletics New Zealand's 186 00:08:26,507 --> 00:08:30,747 Speaker 2: YouTube channel. It actually starts at four o'clock this afternoon, 187 00:08:30,827 --> 00:08:33,507 Speaker 2: but the main action is from around about seven o'clock. 188 00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:36,347 Speaker 2: But if you go to the Athletics New Zealand website, 189 00:08:36,387 --> 00:08:40,227 Speaker 2: which is athletics dot org dot NZ, the program is 190 00:08:40,307 --> 00:08:42,547 Speaker 2: there and all the details on how to live stream 191 00:08:42,587 --> 00:08:44,827 Speaker 2: it on their YouTube channel. 192 00:08:45,387 --> 00:08:48,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 193 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:52,587 Speaker 1: to Newstalk ZEDB weekends from midday or follow the podcast 194 00:08:52,707 --> 00:08:53,547 Speaker 1: on iHeartRadio