by Larry EderThe Men’s high jump is an event about limits. The high jumper continues to jump until they miss a height. Observing Sanghyeok Woo and Hamish Kerr is always a treat, as the athletes push each other to their limits.
On Friday, Hamish Kerr’s dream of defending his title from 2024 Glasgow ended at 2.28m, where he had to battle several athletes for the silver and bronze.
Woo, Kerr, Richards, and Kosiba cleared 2.14m and 2.20m on first clearances. Woo and Kerr needed two attempts at 2.24m, and then Wool cleared 2.28m and 2.31m on the first attempts.
Kerr cleared 2.28m on his first attempt, then took 3 game attempts at 2.31m, but it was not to be.
Raymond Richards, JAM, took the bronze at 2.28m, just ahead of Elijah Kosiba (also clearing 2.28m SB)
Hamish Kerr, NZ, taking silver, spoke to the media about the challenges of the high jump:
“It was a great atmosphere here today. My goal today was to try and have several jumps, so more than five jumps. I did that. I was frustrated with that 231, and that’s good because when I’m frustrated, it means that I want to be here and I really want to do well. So I know that frustration will go home with me and a lot of success and happiness, but it will give me the hunger to return more substantial next time. Today actually reforms my confidence; I think knowing where I am on my process for this year and getting a result like that is quite good. Because I am trying to change things, we’re trying to get consistent for later in the year. I know it’s only getting better and better. My run-up obviously changed a few things around my position in the curve. Also, I am doing much more gym work in my training method. I’m getting a bit stronger. So with that, there’s always gonna be changes in my body trying to understand and be confident about where I am in my run-up. It’s not quite yet, but I know that the changes we’re making are excellent ones. Today, it shows we’re on the right track. I just need to do more. I took a long time after the Olympics. I’d only have done 2 months of training coming to this, another two, and another two. And that’ll get us to the world champs. I’m just gonna be so much better. Woo looks fantastic out there. He obviously had a hard time at the end of last year, and I beat him this time last year, but he’s obviously prepared very well. I love to see him doing well. I would like to be up there with him and push him along for a few more heights.
