Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr has delighted young athletes from AS Monaco Athlétisme, offering inspiration and technical guidance during a special coaching session at Stade Louis II.
The New Zealand athlete, who claimed gold at last year’s Olympic Games, took time out from his preparation for the upcoming competitive season to connect with Monaco’s future athletes as part of the Herculis EBS 2025 initiative.
Kerr, who arrived to an enthusiastic group of young participants, demonstrated the fundamentals of high jump technique, breaking down the complex movement into comprehensible steps for the children. The hour-long session saw him working closely with the young athletes, correcting technique and offering encouragement.
“I remember when I was a child, I used to go to my athletics club, and that was the start of my career,” Kerr told Monaco Life. “I looked up to a lot of athletes, and I was very glad that I could meet some every so often.”
The 28-year-old champion highlighted the importance of such grassroots events, noting how they can inspire the next generation. “I think it’s great for them to have an example of what I do and of high jump, but I also hope they realise that what I do is also a lot of fun.”
When asked about managing the immense pressure of Olympic competition, Kerr revealed his mindset heading into his gold medal performance.
“The Olympics is such a high-pressure environment, only every four years. For us, it is a validation that we do well,” he explained. “I knew that I was in good shape, I knew that my training was all good before the games. So, I tried to enjoy it as much as possible and just allow the jumps to happen.”
Reflecting on the moment he realised he had won Olympic gold, Kerr admitted it took time to process the achievement. “It was amazing. Mainly, I was in shock, I think. When I was running around and celebrating, it didn’t quite feel real to me. But now, a few months later, I can reflect more on it. It’s the most special thing I’ve ever done.”
Technical insights for young jumpers
During his demonstration, Kerr paid particular attention to the transition many young athletes struggle with when learning high jump technique.
“From a high jump perspective, technically, a lot of kids do scissor jumps really well, and then when they try to go over the bar backwards, they forget to take off,” he observed. “I see that a lot. It’s all about just trying to remember that you have to jump as high as possible.”
His advice to young athletes transcends the technical aspects of any particular sport: “Find a sport you love and just do it as much as possible, and things will happen from that.”
Despite achieving Olympic gold, Kerr’s ambitions remain high. He has fond memories of competing in Monaco last year and hopes to perform well here again.
“Obviously, a big goal got ticked off last year, but I still have a lot more other goals,” he shared. “I competed really well here in Monaco last year, so my goal for the season is to come back and jump as high as possible again.”
Looking further ahead, Kerr has his sights set on adding another prestigious title to his collection: “In September, we have a world championship. I have not won world championships before, so my goal is to try and do that.”
Herculis EBS Monaco will take place on 11th July at the Stade Louis II.
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Main photo source: FMA