Walsh below his best

As a warmup for his looming Diamond League final, Kiwi shot put world champion Tom Walsh had to admit this was a bit of a misfire.

Walsh finished runner-up in a strong field at the Kamila Skolimowska memorial meeting in Chorzow, Poland, yesterday, but conceded some disappointment at his form with the business end of his northern hemisphere season approaching.

The 26-year-old, who has the world’s best throw of 22.67 metres in 2018, had to make do with a modest top toss of 21.28m with his second effort at the Polish meet.

He finished just 5cm behind winner and local hero Michal Haratyk, who managed a best of 21.33m with his third-round throw.

Walsh’s series was 20.91m, 21.28m, a foul, 20.83m, 21.01m and one more no-throw with his final effort.

The burly Kiwi said it wasn’t an ideal hitout a week out from his Diamond League final in Zurich on August 30, but one he was confident he would learn from.

‘‘Today was definitely about execution on the day,’’ he told Radio NZ from Poland. ‘‘I’ve got to take ownership of that and go back and do what I know works.

‘‘That’s not trying to do things, but just doing it. It sounds easy but sometimes it’s bloody hard to do when things aren’t rolling the way they should.’’

Meanwhile, New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCartney faces an important medical check ahead of her Diamond League final after injuring her heel in Birmingham last weekend.