Flatmates and Olympic track cyclists Jordan Kerby and Regan Gough, and canoe sprint paddler Max Brown. Photo / Jed Bradley
Flatmates and Olympic track cyclists Jordan Kerby and Regan Gough, and canoe sprint paddler Max Brown. Photo / Jed Bradley
Through two rickety glass doors tucked underneath the second story of a navy blue and cream brick house in Cambridge, is the room that could display up to three Olympic medals in less than a month's time.
The unsuspecting "trophy room," is already home to a number of prestigious itemsfrom a UCI rainbow jersey to a Halberg award, while the dado walls are decorated with cycling jersey numbers from around the world.
It's the only room in the 1960's build that would give a clue to the tenants who live there.
Three ordinary, down-to-earth lads, Max Brown, Regan Gough and Jordan Kerby - who also happen to be three of New Zealand's top Olympic athletes set to compete at the Tokyo Games this week.
Full Kiwi schedule below. Click on a name to see athlete's bio, upcoming events, past Games performance and medal chance.
Squashed up on a small three-seater couch in the upstairs living room, Brown, Gough, Kerby and even German Shepherd Sherpa, got cosy to tell us about their unique flatting situation.
And it didn't take long for the jokes to start flying.
"I basically just took these guys off the street," Gough joked - elbow nudge and all -when asked how the trio was first formed.
Brown was quick to jump in: "Regan has been running an orphanage for the last five years and has housed probably most athletes who have lived in Cambridge." he laughed.
Kiwi sprint canoeist, Brown, first spotted the flat online after moving down from Auckland, unaware his flatties were New Zealand track cycling teammates and that two years on, they'd all be heading to Tokyo together.
The flat itself is just like any ordinary 20-something year old's crib but filled with competitive energy.
The boys outsdie the 'trophy room'. Photo / Jed Bradely
Tuesday nights are reserved for the weekly pool tournament down in the trophy room - the loser having to walk the bins out to the street, rain, wind or shine.
"So that's usually Regan," added Brown.
On Wednesday night's they take the trip down to 'Queen Vic Chippy' fish and chips take-out for dinner.
"Ten dollar burger, chips and drink, it's a mean deal," said Kerby.
On any other given afternoon, the crew spend their free time chipping away at a DIY pizza oven in the front garden. Well, Gough had given up a bit, while Kerby and Brown remained determined to get it finished after months of work.
Being Olympic athletes, they try to keep each other accountable.
"We set Jordan's alarm and make sure he gets out of bed," Brown teased.
"Well, yeah I have to get out of bed to clean the dishes that Max leaves in the sink at 4 am every morning!" Kerby shot back with a giggle. "Basically we just give each other a hard time and that keeps us all in line."
Sharing the disrupted and unpredictable journey to Tokyo, which has unfolded over the past 18 months, Brown, Gough and Kerby have had to face and overcome similar challenges.
They navigated last year's Level 4 lockdown together, where Gough and Kerby got Brown on a bike to train with them when water sports were off-limits.
"Their coach called me up and asked me to join the track team but I had to turn it down," Brown joked after revealing he cycled 100km in lockdown.
"It's his biggest achievement to date," Gough added with a laugh.
Dog Sherpa getting in on the action. Photo / Jed Bradely
The jokes and laughter continued when the trio took us for a walk-through tour of the flat.
Kerby was quick to point out the chopping board still in the sink from when Brown made breakfast that morning, before showing off the flat's prized possession - a Nespresso coffee machine.
Gough showed off his collection of cars and motorbikes before Brown treated us to a private gig jamming an original on his electric guitar.
Then they paused, reflecting on a more serious note in the trophy room when asked whether it would indeed be the spot they'd hang their Olympic medals, should they make the podium in Tokyo.
Especially Gough, who narrowly missed out at Rio, placing fourth in the 400m Team Pursuit.
"It's a good question," Gough said. "Probably, seeing as everything else ends up in here!"
"We have to medal first though, can't get ahead of ourselves," Kerby added.
Even if the Olympic flatties do return empty-handed, the walls of the trophy room will still be filled.
But with laughter, stories and of course, a bit of banter.
