Defending champion Kerr on New Zealand team of 12 for Nanjing

Hamish Kerr will defend his high jump title as part of a 12-strong New Zealand team announced for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25.

The squad for the event in China, taking place from 21-23 March, is the largest ever named for New Zealand at a World Indoor Championships.

Kerr cleared 2.36m to win his world indoor title in Glasgow last year and he went on to become the Olympic champion in Paris, managing the same height.

So far this season he has jumped 2.30m and he recently won the national title.

Joining him in Nanjing will be Tom Walsh, who will be looking to add to the impressive haul of five shot put medals he has already claimed at the World Indoor Championships.

The 2017 world champion, who is also a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, won world indoor gold in 2016 and 2018, and he secured silver last year in Glasgow as well as bronze in 2014 and 2022.

The New Zealand team stars a full complement of shot putters, with Walsh – who continues his comeback after injury at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – lining up alongside Jacko Gill in the men’s event, and the women’s event featuring Olympic silver medallist Maddi Wesche and Kaia Tupu-South.

The team also includes Zoe Hobbs in the 60m and Maia Ramsden in the 1500m.

New Zealand team for Nanjing

Women
60m: Zoe Hobbs
800m: Alison Andrews-Paul
1500m: Laura Nagel, Maia Ramsden
Pole vault: Imogen Ayris, Olivia McTaggart
Shot put: Kaia Tupu-South, Maddi Wesche

Men
60m: Tiaan Whelpton
High jump: Hamish Kerr
Shot put: Jacko Gill, Tom Walsh