Tom Walsh during the Athletics Diamond League Silesia meeting, 2025. Photo: JAKUB PORZYCKI / AFP
New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh has finished fourth at the latest Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, missing the podium by just two centimetres.
The indoor world champion recorded a best throw of 21.47m, just short of American Adrian Piperi's 21.49m, which was good enough for bronze.
Piperi recorded his biggest distance with his final throw, pushing Walsh out of the bronze medal position.
Walsh's best was 22cm short of his season best.
"I was really happy with three or four of the rounds, but that fifth round throw (20.90) was bad and I'm really annoyed because Tripp (Piperi) then passed me to get into third place," Walsh said afterwards.
"I felt like I had a lot more in the tank today, 21:47 is solid, but not what I wanted to do, but there is fire in the belly for Zurich next week."
The result confirmed Walsh in the Diamond League finals in Zurich next week.
"I'm the fittest I've been in 18 months (since his Olympic injury), confidence is up and really clear about how I'm going to throw far, it's just when. Now it's about being patient, not forcing it and it will come when it needs to come."
American Olympic silver medallist Joe Kovacs won gold with a distance of 22.04m, and Italian Leonardo Fabbri took silver with 21.77m.
Walsh will compete in the Diamond League finals in Zurich next week.
The Swiss meeting was held in torrential rain, which forced an early finish to the non-Diamond League women's pole vault.
New Zealand's Olivia McTaggart was one of five athletes who cleared 4.35m before the competition was called off.
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