The K1 reserve for Tokyo 2020 started paddling at the age of nine and has constantly improved over the years. He has a Bachelor’s in Sports and Exercise Science from Massey University and won a kayak cross World Cup silver on the Paris 2024 Olympic course in 2023. In his Olympic debut in the French capital, Butcher claimed a historic first men's kayak cross gold medal, as the event made its debut at the Games.