New Zealand shot-putter Tom Walsh. Photo: JAKUB PORZYCKI / AFP
Shot putter Tom Walsh is getting frustrated with his lack of distance in competitions with the World Championships not far away.
Walsh has finished fifth in the Diamond League Final in Zurich with a best throw of 21.55 metres.
That was almost a metre behind the winner, Olympic silver medalist Joe Kovacs of the United States.
Walsh has a personal best of 22.90m, but this year has only managed a best of 21.89m.
"Definitely disappointing, I'm sick and tired of throwing between 21.50 and 22," Walsh told RNZ.
"That is not going to be good enough for world champs.
"I feel there is definitely way more in the tank and I'm slowly starting to put that together in training but it hasn't come together in a comp at the moment.
"The good thing is that it is really clear what I need to do and I just have to be patient and keep knocking on that door because I know the right doors to knock on and I just need to trust that."
33 year old Walsh won the world title in 2017 and is a three time world indoor champion, including taking the title in China earlier this year.
He said the main issue with his throwing at the moment is timing.
"What I'll have to do at world champs in two weeks time is give myself more time in throwing. I'm getting a little bit short and I've got to get the drive a bit straighter.
"There were some good signs today but I just haven't pieced together a throw in competition which is very frustrating, but I feel really close which is nice."
World record holder Mondo Duplantis won his fifth straight Diamond League pole vault final, while Katie Moon took the women's title as she prepared to defend her world crown in Tokyo next month.
New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr and sprinter Zoe Hobbs compete on the second day of the Diamond League Final on Friday.
