The Central Otago paddler also showed plenty of strength, courage and talent as he charged to Olympic gold in the men’s kayak cross at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium yesterday.
Butcher joined the ranks of the Otago sporting greats with a series of spectacular performances.
The chaotic sport — stock car racing on the water — was making its Olympic debut so the 29-year-old from Alexandra will be immortalised as its inaugural champion.
After winning his quarterfinal, Butcher finished second behind imposing world No 1 Joe Clarke in the semifinal.
Clarke was tipped by many to win the final but Butcher made a wonderful start, negotiated the gates superbly and comfortably claimed gold.
"It couldn’t have gone better", the Dunstan High School old boy told the Otago Daily Times from Paris yesterday.
"I was out in front from the start and executed both upstreams well and held on to the lead.
"When we landed, I actually let go of my paddle because I hit someone else’s boat.
"But I had a lot of intent, and I wanted to get out fast."
You are never safe in kayak cross, but Butcher was in a dominant position after the first couple of gates and the rollover.
He cruised over the line and exploded with joy, thumping the side of his boat and letting out a roar of delight as he realised he was an Olympic champion.
"I came out of that last upstream and knew that was it, that I’d done it.
"It was just a big adrenaline dump. That feeling ... just having achieved a lifelong dream. Pretty incredible."
But he was dialled in, as they say, as soon as kayak cross started, and he felt no pressure to do anything other than make the most of it.
"I’ve been enjoying it a lot. There’s pressure, and you get nervous and stuff.
"But you look up and the crowd and you think, ‘how sick is this?’ We’re here and doing what we love to do.
"Then I just tried to zone in, focus on the ramp, and rip into it and see what happens at the end of it."
Butcher won silver in kayak cross at the world championships in 2021.
Just getting to Paris was a thrill — he was on the fringes of selection for canoe slalom at Rio 2016, and a reserve for the Tokyo Olympics three years ago — but to win a gold medal was surreal.
"I’ve had a lot of dreams. A lot of dreams.
"You can dream, but for it to actually happen is wild.
"It’s going to take a while to sink in.
"I’m just so stoked. We put a lot of work in, and I’m so happy we could execute when it mattered."
He could not thank his coach, Aaron Osborne, enough for his guidance and game plans, Butcher said.
"They’re just super proud, man. I gave my medal to Dad ... I couldn’t ask for much better than that."
There was someone else who needed to be thanked, Butcher said.
The late Alan Hoffman, popularly known as "Sarge", was a beloved identity on the whitewater scene.
"He was a big influence through my whole life, really.
"He was a big part of the kayaking community through Central Otago and the South Island, and he was just a good man with awesome values who cared a lot about the sport and helping people.
"He would be so proud. I’m so stoked to be able to get gold for him."
Hopefully, the gold medal would be a shot in the arm for canoe slalom in New Zealand, Butcher said.
He wasted no time declaring his intentions to chase more Olympic success in Los Angeles in 2028.
"I’ll be going for it, ha ha. I’m not stopping.
"I’m loving paddling and everything about it."
Butcher said he and partner Courtney were looking forward to being Olympic fans and watching various events in the coming days.
