Olivier siblings take out four New Zealand triple jump records in one day

Welre Olivier has smashed the 45-year-old New Zealand senior men’s triple jump record with a mighty jump of 16.48m to claim victory at the Athletics Central North West Open meeting in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

At that same meet – which took place on 7 February – his younger brother, Ethan Olivier bettered his own New Zealand U20/U19 and U18 records with a jump of 16.22m (1.9).

Welre leapt a previous PB of 16.21m in Pilditch, South Africa in mid-January – within 1cm of the New Zealand senior men’s record of Phil Wood set in Edmonton, Canada in 1978. However, the talented 20-year-old athlete soared 26cm beyond that mark in Potschefstroom to point at a hugely exciting future.

Ethan, 17, impressed for New Zealand at the 2022 World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, jumping 16.04m in qualification and finishing fourth in the final with a best of 16.03m. In Pilditch on 15 January he registered a new PB of 16.15m before adding a further 7cm to this mark in Potchefstroom.

The South African-based siblings, members of Pakuranga AC are coached by their father, Wikius Olivier – the all-time number three South African triple jumper with a best of 16.89m.