Walsh up against ‘crazy field’
20 Hyundai A-League, round Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7.35pm tonight Phoenix $2.75, City $2.35, draw $3.45
Glen Moss (gk), Jacob Tratt, Roly Bonevacia, Ryan Lowry, Dylan Fox, Alex Rodriguez, Kosta Barbarouses, Michael McGlinchey, Hamish Watson, Adam Parkhouse, Marco Rossi, Vince Lia (c), Tom Doyle, Lewis Italiano, Roy Krishna, Matthew Ridenton, Sarpreet Singh, Shane Smeltz
Thomas Sorensen, Manny Muscat, Josh Rose, Osama Malik, Neil Kilkenny, Nicolas Colazo, Anthony Caceres, Bruce Kamau, Nick Fitzgerald, Tim Cahill, Paulo Retre, Ruon Tongyik, Bruno Fornaroli (c), Luke Brattan, Fernando Brandan, Denis Genreau, Dylan Pierias, Yaren Sozer A ‘‘pissed off’’ Tom Walsh could only watch on as Aucklander Jacko Gill won the Big Shot title on his home soil a year ago.
In 2015, American Ryan Whiting relegated him to second place, leaving the Cantabrian desperate to right a couple of wrongs in Christchurch tomorrow.
The 24-year-old Olympic shot put bronze medallist, who missed last year’s event due to injury, is one of five athletes being labelled the best group of shot putters ever assembled in New Zealand.
They will go hammer and tong at each other at the Retro Sports Facility in the early season meet, before backing up at the Auckland Track Challenge next weekend.
‘‘It’s a crazy field. To have this field in New Zealand is ridiculous,’’ Walsh said.
He’s talking about the inclusion of Olympic gold medallist Ryan Crouser, Whiting, Gill and Aussie gun Damian Birkinhead, who finished second a year ago.
American Joe Kovacs, who won silver at last year’s Rio Olympics, is missing due to wedding commitments, but was keen to make the trip to New Zealand.
Walsh, who along with Crouser is considered a favourite to win the event, said he is up against against an ‘‘outstanding’’ group.
‘‘It would have been awesome to be in it last year,’’ Walsh said.
‘‘Jacko and Damo threw really well. I was a bit pissed off I missed it last year. This year, it’s good to know, at the moment, I’m still in the comp. I can’t let these Americans come over here and beat me.’’
After opening the season with a 20.70m effort at the Porritt Classic in Hamilton last weekend, it will be Walsh’s second meet of the season.
Walsh, who boasts a personalbest of 22.21m, isn’t expecting to threaten his leading mark and national record tomorrow, but is feeling better than usual for this time of the year.
‘‘I felt pretty good during my comp last weekend,’’ he said. ‘‘I was really consistent, which is good for my first comp.
‘‘Usually, it’s a good throw and then there is nothing else. All of my throws were between 20.20m and 20.70m, so that was really consistent.’’
Walsh believes he will probably have to throw between 21m and 21.50m to win tomorrow.
Walsh, Crouser and two-time world indoor champion Whiting have all gone over 22m in the past, while Gill and Birkinhead have cleared the 21m mark.
Whiting, who only arrived in Christchurch on Thursday, is chasing his second Big Shot title in three years.
The 30-year-old is coming off an injury riddled year and is using the event to launch what he hopes is a strong comeback season.
He missed out on last year’s Rio Olympics after finishing fourth at the US trials, just months after recovering from a severe bone bruise in his right-knee.
Whiting then tore his meniscus in his left-knee, which required surgery last October.
‘‘I’m the bionic man with two knee braces,’’ Whiting said.
‘‘It’s been a long recovery. It feels good to be healthy. With the braces I don’t look healthy but I’m finally moving well and feeling better.’'
All things considered, Whiting said he will be content with anything over 20m.
However, he couldn’t help taking a cheeky stab at Walsh when asked about his determination not to lose to an American on home turf.
‘‘It happened last time, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened again,’’ said the Pennsylvanian native, referring to his convincing win two years ago.