Hamish Bond, three-time New Zealand Olympic champion, stopped

New Zealand’s three-time Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond announced his retirement on Thursday, hoping to leave the competition by finishing by a wide margin after winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

With Eric Murray, Bond formed one of the greatest duos in sports history, winning 69 consecutive victories in coxless doubles, including Olympic gold in 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio. Both rowers also remained undefeated from 2009 to 2013.

Murray left the competition in 2017 and Bond continued to row in the men’s eight class, taking home a gold medal in Tokyo.

The 35-year-old champion has made it clear that he now wants to devote himself to his family. “It’s strange to say I’m retiring, but I’m very lucky to be able to leave when I’m top of the game.Bond said.

“Kayaking has, for most of my career, been a part of who I am, and I now have my family and other priorities and feel like the right decision to make.“, he added.

Bond won eight world rowing championships before taking a short time cycling, which earned him a bronze medal in the time trial at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

“Hamish is a true Olympic champion and his legacy and prestige are truly rooted in the history of New Zealand sportNew Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Keren Smith said.