31 Aug 2018

Walsh wins Diamond League final

9:25 am on 31 August 2018

The World and Commonealth Games shot put champion Tom Walsh is optimistic he can go past his personal best throw in the wake of winning the Diamond League final in Zurich.

Walsh threw a Diamond League and meeting record of 22.60 metres with his second round throw just seven centimetres shy of his personal best.

It was good enough to hold off defending champion Darrell Hill and Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser and pocket the $75 thousand prizemoney.

Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh on his way to the Commonwealth Games gold medal in April. Photo: Photosport

"I am so happy, things went so well for me," he said.

"Two years ago I already won the Diamond League here. It was a tough competition today and the result is just so great. The crowd was amazing and the competition so awesome."

Walsh's throw is his second biggest of his career.

"It's was great to come out and drop that bomb....the last few competitions have been a bit rusty (but) the last five days being in Zurich and doing a bit more training has got me going well.

"This year there was three things I really wanted to do. One was to win the world indoors champs, I did that. Second one was to win the Commonwealth Games and I managed to do that too and the third one was to win the Diamond League and I have managed to do that."

There could be a dent on the $75 thousand prizemoney however as he now has to shout his fellow competitiors a night on the town.

"That's for sure, I've got no way out of that one."

Walsh's next assignment is the Continential Cup competition in the Czech republic in ten days time where he will represent Asia-Pacific and hopes he can go past his current best throw of 22.67 metres.

"I'm in pretty good knick at the moment so there is no reason why I can't (go past that) as long as I stay fresh physically and mentally."

-RNZ