Kerr wins men's high jump after jump-off

PARIS :New Zealand's Hamish Kerr won gold in the men's Olympic high jump on Saturday by beating American Shelby McEwen in a jump-off - in contrast to the last Games when the gold was shared.

His best effort in "normal time" was 2.36 metres but he secured his country's first medal in the event by clearing 2.34 as both men flagged after a long and gruelling competition.

Defending champion Mutaz Barshim of Qatar - who famously shared the gold with Gianmarco Tamberi in Tokyo - got the bronze with a season's best 2.34.

Kerr and McEwen cleared 2.36 at the first attempt but both had three failures at 2.38m.

In the jump-off, they both failed with their single attempts at 2.38, then 2.36, before Kerr cleared 2.34.

He immediately ran into the middle of the field and flopped onto the grass in joy and relief. It was an impressive result for McEwen too, a personal best and a huge improvement after finishing 12th in Tokyo.

Barshim, who has struggled with injury all season, did a celebratory backflip off the mat after his last jump, with the bronze his fourth medal in as many Olympic appearances.

Tamberi, who was suffering from kidney colic, fell out of contention early on, exiting distraught after failing to clear 2.27m.