New Zealand high jumper goes viral after going UNDER the bar.. but has perfect response by later winning the gold medal

OLYMPICS star Hamish Kerr has gone viral for his high jump disaster despite going on to win the gold medal.

Fans watching the men’s final last night were left in hysterics after he bizarrely threw himself under the bar.

Hamish Kerr bizarrely threw himself under the bar

Reuters

The New Zealander has become an internet sensation after diving straight on the mat[/caption]

AP

But he recovered to win the gold medal[/caption]

Kerr picked up speed as he approached the jump but surprisingly decided to bail out of the attempt at the last minute.

The New Zealander instead dived straight onto the mat to the confusion of viewers.

Kerr’s unusual flop has been turned into a meme, with the clip being viewed millions of times on social media.

Fans hilariously captioned it: “Me to the sofa when I get home from work.”

Another joked: “When someone tells me the bar has been raised and they believe in me.”

A third laughed: “How I dive into bed.”

More commented: “Me playing Mario and Sonic at the Olympics and I forget to press the jump button.”

But Kerr brilliantly responded to his poor effort and went on to win gold amid a controversial end.

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The 27-year-old and Team USA’s Shelby McEwen were tied at the end of the event and turned down the chance to share gold in favour of a jump-off to decide a winner.

Both Kerr and McEwen were joint-top after clearing 2.36m but chose not to share first place.

They instead agreed to golden goal-style finish, with the bar set at 2.34m.

Kerr got over it as McEwen then failed and had to accept silver.