Report15 Jun 2016


Walsh proves to be the supreme shot putter in Stockholm – IAAF Diamond League

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Tom Walsh in action during the 2016 IAAF Diamond League in Stockholm (© Hasse Sjogren)

As has become the norm at many of the top one-day meetings around the world, the men’s shot put was moved one day in advance of the main programme at this year’s IAAF Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, and it was New Zealand’s world indoor champion Tom Walsh who took the honours at the Bauhaus-Galan on Wednesday (15).

The event took place in blissful sunshine in Ralambshovsparken, one of the oldest parks in the Swedish capital. 

After second places in his two previous outdoor appearances, the IAAF Diamond League meetings in Shanghai and Eugene, Walsh's second-round throw of 21.13m secured his first win since his IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016 victory back in March.

No one apart from Walsh, who took the lead straight away with 20.93m in the first round, could exceed 21 metres on the night but the New Zealander managed it on three more occasions, his compete series being: 20.93m, 21.13m, 21.05m, x, 21.08m, 21.08m.

Poland’s Michal Haratyk was Walsh’s closest rival but at a distance, moving up from seventh to second in the sixth and final round with an effort of 20.54m.

The contest was notable in that, in comparison to previous IAAF Diamond League meetings this season, the top eight putters in Stockholm had three additional attempts after the first three rounds rather than just the top four.

Canada’s 2016 IAAF World Indoor Tour winner Tim Nedow finished third with 20.44m.

Walsh’s win in Stockholm means that he now has 22 points in his discipline’s Diamond Race, just two shy of current leader Joe Kovacs, who didn’t compete in Stockholm.

Cathal Dennehy for the IAAF

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