Bond, 35, who can be an eight-time world champion, mentioned he had identified for some time that it was the best time to hold up his oars.
His profession culminated in Tokyo six months in the past when he led NZ to an thrilling victory within the males’s eight.
Bond says he thought of chucking up the sponge earlier than the Tokyo Olympic Games, which have been postponed for a 12 months over COVID-19 considerations, however his spouse Lizzie saved him within the sport.
Hamish Bond🇳🇿has introduced he’s hanging up the oars. 8️⃣x World Rowing Champ, 3️⃣x Olympic Champ, undefeated in… https://t.co/cqzKatkIEA
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) 1643245858000
“The previous couple of years has been difficult for everybody, not simply athletes, and there have been occasions once I critically thought of calling it a day,” he mentioned.
“It was taking increasingly more psychological self-discipline to maintain going and I may really feel my starvation to punish myself in coaching waning.
“It was Lizzie who gave me a kick and mentioned ‘no, you’re not ending issues like this’ and I actually wanted that to maintain going and end my sporting profession in the best manner.”
Bond’s first two Olympic golds have been achieved within the coxless pair with crewmate Eric Murray in 2012 London and 2016 Rio.
By including a 3rd gold in Tokyo, Bond cemented his place among the many pantheon of NZ Olympians.
“It does really feel unusual saying that I am retiring however I really feel very lucky to be strolling away whereas on the prime of the game,” mentioned Bond.
“I’ve been extremely privileged to have gone on this journey and my profession has far exceeded something I dared to dream once I was beginning out. I by no means anticipated having the success that adopted,” he mentioned.
“The apparent pinnacles for me have been successful in London, that first Olympic gold medal, after which successful gold with the eight in Tokyo, they’re phenomenal recollections.”