New Zealand has hailed its athletes for an "incredible" Tokyo Games as the country of five million burnished its reputation for punching above its weight with a record medals haul.

New Zealand claimed seven golds, six silvers and seven bronzes to finish 13th on the medal table, edging countries including South Korea (16) and Spain (22).

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/japan-pm-yoshihide-sugas-support-slides-to-record-low-as-olympic-games-close-survey-reveals-404103" hreflang="en">Japan PM Yoshihide Suga's support slides to record low as Olympic Games close, survey reveals</a>

"There were some incredible performances," New Zealand chef de mission Robert Waddell told TVNZ on Monday.

"We have really enjoyed how the team has come together.

"I think partly because of the fact that we haven't had family and friends ... over here with us, it has been a really tight-knit team feeling and we've all drawn a lot of inspiration from each other's success."

New Zealand's tally was boosted by canoe sprint sensation https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/canoe-sprint-hungarys-csizmadia-briton-heath-ease-into-final-2021-08-05 Lisa Carrington, who became the country's most decorated Olympian with a three-gold haul at Tokyo, while claiming her third successive kayak single 200 metres title after Rio and London.

New Zealand's traditional strengths delivered, with rowing producing three golds and two silvers, the women's rugby sevens team dominating to win gold and the men taking silver.

But Waddell was thrilled by unexpected minor medals in boxing and trampoline.

"All those medals were across 11 different sports which is a great thing for New Zealand because it's not just one sport that's delivering," he said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-2020-british-team-hail-miracle-of-tokyo-after-big-medals-haul-404031" hreflang="en">Olympics 2020: British team hail 'miracle of Tokyo' after big medals haul</a>

"What Dylan Schmidt did in trampolining, what David Nyika did in boxing, those show a pathway for other young kids in New Zealand who might be able to follow in those footsteps and achieve at the same sort of level."

Following on from victory over cricket powerhouse India in the inaugural World Test Championship final in June, the Olympic haul continues New Zealand's track record of doing more with less.

"We're very collaborative," said Waddell. "We work together well and we're big enough that we can do that but not so big that we're clumsy."

New Zealand has hailed its athletes for an "incredible" Tokyo Games as the country of five million burnished its reputation for punching above its weight with a record medals haul.

New Zealand has hailed its athletes for an "incredible" Tokyo Games as the country of five million burnished its reputation for punching above its weight with a record medals haul. New Zealand claimed seven golds, six silvers and seven bronzes to finish 13th on the medal table, edging countries including South Korea (16) and Spain (22). ALSO READ: Japan PM Yoshihide Suga's support slides to record low as Olympic Games close, survey reveals "There were some incredible performances," New Zealand chef de mission Robert Waddell told TVNZ on Monday. "We have really enjoyed how the team has come together. "I think partly because of the fact that we haven't had family and friends ... over here with us, it has been a really tight-knit team feeling and we've all drawn a lot of inspiration from each other's success." New Zealand's tally was boosted by canoe sprint sensation https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/canoe-sprint-hungarys-csizmadia-briton-heath-ease-into-final-2021-08-05 Lisa Carrington, who became the country's most decorated Olympian with a three-gold haul at Tokyo, while claiming her third successive kayak single 200 metres title after Rio and London. New Zealand's traditional strengths delivered, with rowing producing three golds and two silvers, the women's rugby sevens team dominating to win gold and the men taking silver. But Waddell was thrilled by unexpected minor medals in boxing and trampoline. "All those medals were across 11 different sports which is a great thing for New Zealand because it's not just one sport that's delivering," he said. ALSO READ: Olympics 2020: British team hail 'miracle of Tokyo' after big medals haul "What Dylan Schmidt did in trampolining, what David Nyika did in boxing, those show a pathway for other young kids in New Zealand who might be able to follow in those footsteps and achieve at the same sort of level." Following on from victory over cricket powerhouse India in the inaugural World Test Championship final in June, the Olympic haul continues New Zealand's track record of doing more with less. "We're very collaborative," said Waddell. "We work together well and we're big enough that we can do that but not so big that we're clumsy."

Tokyo Olympics: New Zealand hails 'incredible' Games after record medals haul

Britain's chef de mission Mark England hailed the team's achievement as the greatest in their Olympic history after the team matched their medals total from their home games in London in 2012 on the final day of competition in Tokyo.

Track cyclist Jason Kenny and boxer Lauren Price ensured that Britain finished their campaign with two more gold, taking them to fourth in the Tokyo medals table with 22 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals for a total of 65.

It made Tokyo their second-most successful&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;overseas after the contingent won 67 medals in the Rio de Janeiro Games five years ago.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-at-olympics-graph-shows-positives-and-upward-curve-in-female-representation-more-efforts-still-needed-403973" hreflang="en">India at Olympics: Graph shows positives and upward curve in female representation; more efforts still needed</a>

"Following Beijing, we had no idea that British athletes would deliver 65 medals in London. We knew we were in great shape for Rio but it had never been done before, matching and then surpassing London's number of medals," England told reporters on Sunday.

"I just think that finishing this Games with two gold medals, and for this team to deliver 65 medals, is absolutely extraordinary.

"Not only has the team made history but it has probably made history on the back of the most complex and most challenging and difficult environment that we will face certainly in my lifetime.

"It has been against all the odds and I think it is the greatest achievement in British Olympic history. It has been the miracle of Tokyo and it has been wonderful to be here."

The next Olympic Games are in less than three years and England believes the youthful side would be in great shape heading into Paris.

"The Bryony Pages of this team, winning another (trampoline) bronze after her silver medal in Rio, and the women's artistic gymnastics team winning a bronze with two 16-year-old twins -- these kept the scoreboard ticking over and gave everybody the confidence that the team is in great shape," he said.

"We've had 16 fourth places. This is a very, very young team and a very talented team, and a team I'm absolutely confident that will go to Paris in less than three years and do exceptionally well."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ioc-chief-thomas-bach-calls-tokyo-olympics-2020-very-successful-403923" hreflang="en">IOC chief Thomas Bach calls Tokyo Olympics 2020 'very successful'</a>

The British Olympic Association and UK Sport had previously announced a change of approach towards funding, which was previously targeted narrowly at potential medallists, amid an athlete welfare crisis and various governance problems.

The organisation said last year that it would be taking a more holistic approach towards Olympic funding, with positive culture at its core, raising fears that a softer approach might lead to a drop in results.

"I'm thrilled that we are in a better place now and we certainly haven't seen any drop-off in performance," said Katherine Grainger, Chair Of UK Sport.

"If anyone was unconvinced before hopefully they would be convinced now."

Britain's chef de mission Mark England hailed the team's achievement as the greatest in their Olympic history after the team matched their medals total from their home games in London in 2012 on the final day of competition in Tokyo.

Britain's chef de mission Mark England hailed the team's achievement as the greatest in their Olympic history after the team matched their medals total from their home games in London in 2012 on the final day of competition in Tokyo. Track cyclist Jason Kenny and boxer Lauren Price ensured that Britain finished their campaign with two more gold, taking them to fourth in the Tokyo medals table with 22 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals for a total of 65. It made Tokyo their second-most successful Olympics overseas after the contingent won 67 medals in the Rio de Janeiro Games five years ago. ALSO READ: India at Olympics: Graph shows positives and upward curve in female representation; more efforts still needed "Following Beijing, we had no idea that British athletes would deliver 65 medals in London. We knew we were in great shape for Rio but it had never been done before, matching and then surpassing London's number of medals," England told reporters on Sunday. "I just think that finishing this Games with two gold medals, and for this team to deliver 65 medals, is absolutely extraordinary. "Not only has the team made history but it has probably made history on the back of the most complex and most challenging and difficult environment that we will face certainly in my lifetime. "It has been against all the odds and I think it is the greatest achievement in British Olympic history. It has been the miracle of Tokyo and it has been wonderful to be here." The next Olympic Games are in less than three years and England believes the youthful side would be in great shape heading into Paris. "The Bryony Pages of this team, winning another (trampoline) bronze after her silver medal in Rio, and the women's artistic gymnastics team winning a bronze with two 16-year-old twins -- these kept the scoreboard ticking over and gave everybody the confidence that the team is in great shape," he said. "We've had 16 fourth places. This is a very, very young team and a very talented team, and a team I'm absolutely confident that will go to Paris in less than three years and do exceptionally well." ALSO READ: IOC chief Thomas Bach calls Tokyo Olympics 2020 'very successful' The British Olympic Association and UK Sport had previously announced a change of approach towards funding, which was previously targeted narrowly at potential medallists, amid an athlete welfare crisis and various governance problems. The organisation said last year that it would be taking a more holistic approach towards Olympic funding, with positive culture at its core, raising fears that a softer approach might lead to a drop in results. "I'm thrilled that we are in a better place now and we certainly haven't seen any drop-off in performance," said Katherine Grainger, Chair Of UK Sport. "If anyone was unconvinced before hopefully they would be convinced now."

Olympics 2020: British team hail 'miracle of Tokyo' after big medals haul

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Tokyo Olympics: New Zealand hails 'incredible' Games after record medals haul

Olympics 2020: British team hail 'miracle of Tokyo' after big medals haul