14-Strong Kiwi Team Named For Tokyo World Athletics Champs

Athletics New Zealand is thrilled to announce the full fourteen-strong New Zealand team that will line up in Tokyo for the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Today’s final selection announcement adds seven more athletes to our already announced team of seven. The team comprises a rich mix of experience and talent across both field and track.

The World Athletics Championships is one of the largest sporting events in 2025, with over a billion viewers expected to tune in on the global broadcast to watch 1700+ athletes representing 200+ countries compete over the 9 championship days.

Leading the way in Tokyo will be Olympic Champion and recently crowned Diamond League Champion, Hamish Kerr. Competing in the high jump, Kerr will be looking to continue his timely peak of form in his quest to add a World Championship crown to his mantlepiece.

Eliza McCartney and Imogen Ayris join the already selected Olivia McTaggart to complete a full complement of women’s Pole Vaulters in Tokyo. McCartney, the 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist and 2024 World Indoor silver medalist, will be aiming to translate some quality training form into results on the track. Both McTaggart and Ayris have delivered quality results this season. McTaggart’s breakthrough win at the London Diamond League with a PB 4.73m leap sets her in strong contention to perform come Tokyo. While Ayris has enjoyed a consistent run of form, challenging the 4.70m mark this season.

Making their World Championship debuts are shot putter, Nick Palmer and triple jumper, Ethan Olivier. Palmer is in his lifetime best form, eclipsing his own personal best multiple times, rewriting his best with a throw of 20.32m in Germany. The victory and PB sets him in good standing for his debut championships. Olivier is continuing his transition to the senior ranks, having won the World Under-20 Championships in 2024 and lined up in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games.

The New Zealand team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships

Ethan Olivier – Triple Jump

Coach: Wikus Olivier

Ethan Olivier is the New Zealand triple jump record holder and the 2024 World U20 Champion. He made his Olympic debut in Paris and is now set to make is World Athletics Championships debut.

Ethan Olivier jumps in the triple jump qualifying on Wednesday, 17 September, with the final on Friday, 19 September.

Nick Palmer – Shot Put

Coach: Hayden Hall

Making his senior black singlet debut, Nick Palmer broke the 20m barrier for the first time in 2024 and recently threw a personal best of 20.32m in Biberach, Germany. Palmer is the reigning Oceania Shot Put champion, winning the title in 2024. Palmer’s recently finished just off the medals at the 2025 FISU World University Games, claiming the fourth spot in the field. The 25-year-old has previously represented New Zealand in 2018 at the then IAAF World U20 Championships.

Imogen Ayris – Pole Vault

Coach: Scott Simpson

Imogen Ayris returns to the global stage after winning bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. A consistent performer with international experience, she adds depth to New Zealand’s strong pole vault contingent.

Imogen will compete in the pole vault qualifying on Monday, 15 September, with the final on Wednesday, 17 September.

Tori Moorby – Javelin

Coach: Kirsten Hellier

The Cambridge-based thrower heads to Tokyo with experience under her belt. Moorby finished just 7cm shy of making the final at the 2023 edition of the Championships in Budapest; she’ll be hungry for an upgrade come Tokyo.

Sam Tanner – 1500m

Coach: Craig Kirkwood

Sam Tanner is a two-time Olympian and World Championships semi-finalist, with a personal best of 3:31.24. Tanner produced a quality 1500m season’s best of 3:33.06 in Stockholm in June.

Sam races the 1500m heats on Sunday 14 September, with the semi-final on Monday 15 September and the final on Wednesday 17 September.

Eliza McCartney – Pole Vault

Coach: Scott Simpson

Eliza McCartney is New Zealand’s pole vault record holder and a Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist. She won silver at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, clearing 4.80m and narrowly missing gold on countback. After finishing 6th at the 2024 Olympics, McCartney is back in form and ready to challenge for a podium spot.

Eliza McCartney competes in pole vault qualifying on Monday, 15 September, with the final on Wednesday, 17 September.

Lauren Bruce – Hammer Throw

Coach: Dale Stevenson / Kirsten Hellier

Lauren Bruce is a seasoned campaigner, having competed at two Olympic Games, two World Championships, and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. She holds the New Zealand record with a throw of 74.61m and has a season’s best of 69.90m. Bruce brings experience and power to the hammer circle.

Lauren Bruce throws in hammer qualifying on Sunday, 14 September, with the final on Monday, 15 September.

Previously Announced Athletes

Maddi Wesche – Shot Put

Coach: Mike Schofield

Maddi Wesche begins shot put qualifying on Saturday, 20 September, with the final later that evening.

Hamish Kerr – High Jump

Coach: James Sandilands

Hamish Kerr competes in high jump qualifying on Sunday, 14 September, with the final on Tuesday 16 September.

Tom Walsh – Shot Put

Coach: Hayden Hall

Tom Walsh is one of the first Kiwis out on the field in Tokyo. His qualifying is scheduled for the first session on Saturday, 13 September, with the final later that night.

Connor Bell – Discus

Coach: Kirsten Hellier

Connor Bell competes in the discus qualifying on Saturday, 20 September, with the final on Sunday, 21 September.

George Beamish – 3000m Steeplechase

Coach: Dathan Ritzenhein

George Beamish opens his campaign in the men's 3000m steeplechase heats on Saturday, 13 September, with the final set for Monday, 15 September.

Zoe Hobbs – 100m

Coach: James Mortimer

Zoe Hobbs begins her 100m journey in Round 1 on Saturday 13 September, with the semi-final and final both scheduled for Sunday 14 September.

Olivia McTaggart – Pole Vault

Coach: Scott Simpson

Olivia McTaggart kicks off pole vault qualifying on Monday, 15 September, with the final on Wednesday, 17 September.

*All schedules are subject to change. View up to date changes via world athletics.

Jacko Gill has unfortunately withdrawn from the 2025 World Athletics championships due to injury. Jacko is well into his recovery and is excited to be back in the shot circle this summer.

With Tokyo just around the corner, this team is stacked with talent, experience, and Kiwi pride. Whether it’s on the track, in the field, or soaring through the air, our athletes are ready to inspire Aotearoa and take on the world.

The World Athletics Championships kicks off in Tokyo from the 13th to 21st of September 2025. Fans can watch live and for free via World Athletics Plus online.

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