All Blacks Sevens veteran Kurt Baker is targeting Olympic redemption in Tokyo 2020, having re-committed to the New Zealand Sevens programme.
Baker, 30, has put pen to paper on a new deal with New Zealand Rugby that'll see him turn out for the All Blacks Sevens until the end of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Following New Zealand's disastrous Olympic Sevens campaign in Rio de Janeiro two years ago, Baker says that he's driven by the proposition of bringing home a gold medal the second time around.
Speaking to 1 NEWS in Mt Maunganui this afternoon, Baker opened up about his decision to stay with sevens for the foreseeable future.
"It's just pretty exciting," he said.
"I'm pretty passionate about this team, we had a pretty successful last season. To try and build on that is awesome to be a part of."
The success of the All Blacks Sevens in 2018 more than vindicates Baker's decision, with both New Zealand's men's and women's sides taking home gold at both the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and winning their respective World Cups in San Francisco.
And with both those titles locked away, Baker and the All Blacks Sevens are determined to get their hands on the crown jewel, Olympic Gold.
"You talk to our whole group, they all probably say the same thing.
"We're all pretty motivated to have those little wins on the way there. This season's pretty important in that step forward to the Olympics, and I suppose post that as well."
On a personal level, Baker is relishing the chance at another shot at Olympic glory, part of the ill-fated New Zealand side that failed to win a medal in Rio, despite arriving in Brazil among the tournament favourites.
"I never thought I'd be back with the opportunity to potentially go to another Olympics.
"To have signed until the end of those Olympics, at least, means I'm a chance.
"It's just a matter of us growing as a group, and me being a part of that to ensure the best 12 players go to Tokyo in 2020."
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