Diamonds in the rough

In a year in which our usual sources of sporting pride stumbled, some unlikely heroes sparkled.

- BY GREG BRUCE

When Geordie Beamish fell in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase at this year’s World Athletics Championships and a rival stood on his head, it seemed as if that would be that for the then 28-year-old. Before the September championships in Tokyo, the New Zealander's best time in 2025 was only 31st in the world, so he hadn't been given much of a chance, even before being forced to eat his opponent's spikes. Incredibly, he didn't just get up from the fall, but went on to finish second, qualifying for the final.

That alone would have made for a pretty decent Hollywood ending had he not, two days later, produced one of the most incredible runs by a New Zealander since Kiwi in the 1983 Melbourne Cup. In sixth place coming around the last bend in the final, he produced a phenomenal burst of speed to blow past the pack until the only person between him and the gold medal was Soufiane El Bakkali, the seemingly unbeatable Moroccan who had won the event at the last two Olympics and last two World Championships. Beamish steamed past him metres from the line to win New Zealand’s first ever track gold at a world athletics championships.

It was to be New Zealand's greatest ever world championships: Hamish Kerr won gold in the high jump to go with his gold at last year’s Olympics and Maddi Wesche took bronze in the shot put. It was nearly even better: Wesche was leading her event for five of the six rounds and nearly took back the lead in round six with a monster throw, only for it to be ruled foul. Nevertheless, New Zealand finished fifth-equal on the medal table ahead of Great Britain, China and Australia.

RUGBY