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. Todayโs 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.
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.
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Eliza McCartney and Imogen Ayris join the already selected Olivia McTaggart to complete a full complement of womenโs 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. McTaggartโs 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 โ 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 โ 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. Palmerโs 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 โ 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 Zealandโs 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 โ 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; sheโll be hungry for an upgrade come Tokyo.
Tori throws in the javelin qualifying on Friday, 19 September, with the final on Saturday, 20 September.
Sam Tanner โ 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 seasonโs 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 โ Pole Vault
Coach: Scott Simpson
Eliza McCartney is New Zealandโs 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 โ 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 seasonโs 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 โ Shot Put
Coach: Mike Schofield
Already named in the initial team announcement, Maddi Wesche continues to impress on the global stage with her explosive power and consistency. A regular finalist at major championships, sheโs one of New Zealandโs top medal hopes in the throws. Tokyo will be another chance for Maddi to shine among the worldโs best.
Maddi Wesche begins shot put qualifying on Saturday, 20 September, with the final later that evening.
Hamish Kerr โ High Jump
Coach: James Sandilands
Hamish Kerr was among the first athletes selected for Tokyo, and for good reason. The Olympic bronze medallist and Diamond League winner has consistently cleared world-class heights. With his trademark composure and bounce, Kerr is a serious contender in Tokyo.
Hamish Kerr competes in high jump qualifying on Sunday, 14 September, with the final on Tuesday 16 September.
Tom Walsh โ Shot Put
Coach: Hayden Hall
A veteran of the world stage, Tom Walsh brings experience, strength, and a fierce competitive edge. Already named in the team, the multiple World and Olympic medallist remains a cornerstone of New Zealandโs throwing squad. Expect big throws and big moments in Tokyo.
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 โ Discus
Coach: Kirsten Hellier
Connor Bell, also part of the early team announcement, elevated his own New Zealand discus record in Ramona, USA to 69.51 earlier in the year. Bell will be in the hunt for a birth in the finals, where anything can happen.
Connor Bell competes in the discus qualifying on Saturday, 20 September, with the final on Sunday, 21 September.
George Beamish โ 3000m Steeplechase
Coach: Dathan Ritzenhein
George Beamish is heading to Tokyo as New Zealandโs steeplechase record holder and will be hoping to build on a quality 5th-place finish at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. A blistering kick delivered a World Indoor 1500m title for Beamish in 2024. Heโll be looking to translate that to the last 150m tear after clearing the water barrier in Tokyo.
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 โ 100m
Coach: James Mortimer
Oceaniaโs fastest woman, Zoe Hobbs, brings blistering speed and big-stage experience to Tokyo. Already a global finalist this year at the 2025 World Indoor Championships, Zoe will be hunting a spot in the final in Tokyo. Momentum is on her side, flying to a new NZ and Oceania record of 10.94s in Ostrava back in July.
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 โ Pole Vault
Coach: Scott Simpson
Olivia McTaggart was named in the initial team after a breakthrough 2025 season, including a win at the prestigious London Diamond League. Livi cleared a new personal best of 4.73m to equal the World Athletics entry standard earlier in the season.
Olivia McTaggart, Pole vault qualifying on Monday, 15 September, with the final on Wednesday, 17 September.
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 itโs 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 kick off in Tokyo from the 13th to the 21st of September 2025. Fans can watch live and for free via World Athletics Plus online.ย
Follow all the action on our socials and website as we bring you behind-the-scenes content, results, and stories from Tokyo. Letโs go, team!
