Tom Walsh Struggles with Distance Ahead of World Championships

New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh expressed frustration following a disappointing performance at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, where he finished fifth with a best throw of 21.55 metres. With the World Championships just weeks away, Walsh is struggling to achieve the distances he believes he is capable of, particularly as he prepares to compete against elite athletes like Joe Kovacs, the Olympic silver medalist from the United States, who secured victory with a throw nearly a metre longer.

Despite boasting a personal best of 22.90 metres, Walsh has only managed a top throw of 21.89 metres this year. “Definitely disappointing, I’m sick and tired of throwing between 21.50 and 22,” he stated in an interview with RNZ. “That is not going to be good enough for world champs.”

Walsh Reflects on Performance Challenges

The 33-year-old athlete, who claimed the world title in 2017 and is a three-time world indoor champion, including a win earlier this year in China, attributes his current challenges primarily to timing. “What I’ll have to do at world champs in two weeks’ time is give myself more time in throwing,” he added. “I’m getting a little bit short and I’ve got to get the drive a bit straighter.” He acknowledged that despite the setbacks, there are promising signs during training.

Walsh remains optimistic as he prepares for the upcoming championships. “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,” he explained. “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.”

Diamond League Highlights

In addition to Walsh’s performance, the Diamond League Final showcased several remarkable achievements. World record holder Mondo Duplantis won his fifth consecutive title in the pole vault, while Katie Moon took home the women’s title as she gears up to defend her world crown in Tokyo next month. Meanwhile, New Zealand athletes Hamish Kerr and Zoe Hobbs are set to compete on the second day of the Diamond League Final on September 8, 2023.

As Walsh reflects on his recent performances, he remains focused on improving his technique and achieving the necessary distance to contend effectively at the World Championships. His determination and experience may yet lead him to a breakthrough performance when it matters most.