New Zealand's Hamish Kerr competes in the men's high jump final during the Diamond League athletics meeting in Zurich, 2023. Photo: AFP
New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr admits he was close to coming home after his disappointing world championship campaign, but decided to stay in Europe and this morning was rewarded with his second highest jump ever.
Kerr jumped 2.33m in finishing second to Olympic champion Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar at the Zurich Diamond League meeting.
His national record of 2.34m was set indoors in Slovakia earlier this year.
This morning's jump was his best ever outdoors, beating his previous best of 2.31m.
However his performance came a week after he could only manage 2.22m at the World Championships in Hungary and failed to qualify for the final.
"For the last week 90 percent of me wanted to go home... 90 percent wanted me to go see my family and not think about high jump," Kerr told RNZ.
"But there was that ten percent that wanted me to stay (in Europe) and show the world that I can fight and can prove myself.
"So Im stoked I listened to that ten percent."
Kerr actually went on holiday for a week with his girlfriend in Croatia.
"I'm stoked, to back up what was such a disappointing performance in Budapest with that is probably the most emphatic way I can bounce back.
"I love this sport, it has given me so many opportunities. So when I cleared 2.31m I did not even know that I was that high, I was like in a tunnel.
"When I am in the competition I just jump and do not look too much at the height."
Kerr will stay in Europe for another competition before heading to the USA for the Diamond League Finals.
Also in Zurich this morning Zoe Hobbs placed seventh in a world-class women's 100m field.
She recorded a time of 11.14s with US world champion Sha'Carri Richardson winning in a time of 10.88s.
Sam Tanner placed 11th in the men's 1500m, clocking 3:32.16.
