Commonwealth Games doubt as high jump champ Hamish Kerr reveals reason for absence

Monday, 13 July 2026

Hamish Kerr has provided an update on his absence from the international athletics scene this year.

Olympic and world champion Kiwi high jumper Hamish Kerr’s Commonwealth Games campaign is in doubt after a self-imposed unscheduled break in preparations.

The 29-year-old Christchurch-based athlete has broken his silence this international athletics season and confirmed he had been forced to step away from training for a period amid preparations for his looming campaign.

Kerr, who has dominated global high jumping over recent years, has not competed this season and has not responded to multiple interview requests from The Post. But he has confirmed, via his social media accounts, that he had just returned from extended time out from training.

“Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t competed yet this season,” said Kerr in a post he shared with his followers. “A couple of months ago, the demands of the last few seasons finally caught up with me, so I made the decision to take a break from training.

“Since returning, I’ve been really encouraged by the progress I’m making and am feeling positive about where things are heading. I’m excited and hopeful that I’ll be back competing again soon.”

Kerr did not say whether he intended to compete at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (July 23-August 2), but he has been selected in the New Zealand team lining up at the meet. Athletics runs from July 27-August 1, with the men’s high jump taking place on the opening day.

Athletics New Zealand told The Post Kerr’s spot at the Games remained in doubt, but he had not been ruled out.

“He’s not yet made a final call,” said high performance chief Scott Newman. “[He] will see how the next week or so of training goes. He’s asked us to keep him on the start-list.”

Kerr, the defending Commonwealth Games champion, would have been the warmest of gold medal prospects for Glasgow after dominating the jumping event in recent seasons.

He is the current world and Olympic champion, won the global indoors title in 2024 and claimed the most recent Diamond League crown. He will also be a hot prospect to claim the high jump winner’s prize at the inaugural US$10 million World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September.

For now his Commonwealth Games participation remains in the balance. A good week of training could shift that towards the favourable category.