Bronze for Tom Walsh, just 1cm separates top 3 in men’s shot put final
The top three were separated by just 1cm in the men’s shot put final at the IAAF World Championships in Doha. Tom Walsh threw a new PB, NZ record and Oceania record of 22.90m in his first round, which held him in first position until the final throw of 22.91m from the 2015 World Champion Joe Kovacs of the USA pushed him back to silver medal position. Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser (USA) was up next and threw 22.90m on his final attempt, equalling Toms best effort.
Tom was unable to better their throws in his final round and was awarded the bronze medal behind Crouser on count back. Throughout the competition four athletes bettered the previous World Championship record of 22m.
“First throw was bang on and all the rest of my throws were exactly what I was meant to be doing, and just didn’t quite nail one out there a little bit further but gave myself a good go at it. It was my best comp all year in terms of attacking every throw and came pretty close to nailing exactly the intent but, there is a little bit of a bitter taste in the mouth with not quite getting the gold.”
“It was a great atmosphere out there. I do the sport to be challenged and challenge myself, and I went into that last throw walking towards that and looking forward to it and believing that I had what I needed to do it, and I didn’t quite get to do it but I gave it a good nudge.”
Jacko Gill finished the competition in 7th, with a best throw of 21.45m, just 2cm off his PB. It was the third consecutive World Championships shot put final Tom and Jacko have competed in together.
“I’m pretty happy. Probably didn’t the one big throw today. So quite consistent but didn’t get that one that went a bit further so there’s more there, but it’s a good start and all in this for Tokyo.”
“The competition just went off in the last rounds. I think it was really good energy out there and a great competition, so awesome to be part of.”
On the track, Camille Buscomb set another PB in the 5000m final, crossing in 14m 58.59 to place 12th overall. Camille has had an incredible World Championships, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in the 10,000m and 5000m and setting new personal best times in both events as well. “I’m really happy with two twelfth place finishes, three PBs, it was an awesome week.”