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NZ's Kerr pursues Games gold with toilet tactic

WELLINGTON: New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr aims to add Olympic gold in Paris to his world indoor title — by deploying tactical toilet breaks to help him mentally reset.

The 27-year-old calls himself "The flying Kiwi" and Kerr soared to the indoor crown in March in Glasgow, winning gold with a personal best of 2.36 metres.

It remains the highest jump by any athlete this year.

His goal now is to go even higher and capture the gold medal at the Olympics, which start next month in the French capital.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go there and win," he said.

Kerr has an unusual strategy during competition.

While going for the indoor title in Glasgow, Kerr took himself off to the toilet between rounds and used the breaks to help himself stay focused.

"Without giving away too many details, I have the world's smallest bladder," he joked. "Getting a bit of peace and quiet was needed to help me reset."

He plans to repeat the tactic at the Olympics.

"It's something I do in most competitions. I find it really important to have those times where I can step back, breathe and think about what's important."

He always checks the lock of any cubicle door he uses on competition day after accidentally becoming trapped before a national schools event early in his career.

"Long story short, I got stuck in a toilet for about 40 minutes and ended up climbing through the roof to get out," he said.

"It screwed up my whole routine and I ended up doing terribly. Now I check whether a bathroom door locks properly or not." - AFP

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