Walsh aims to unleash a ‘bomb’
As another outstanding season for Tom Walsh draws to a close, the world champion Kiwi shot put exponent is relying on trust to secure the golden finish he knows is lurking within.
The 26-year-old Timaru-born Cantabrian has already tucked away a world indoors title, the Commonwealth Games gold and world’s best throw for 2018 (and equal seventh best all time, including the shady pre-drug testing era) with the monster 22.67 metres he unleashed in Auckland on March 25.
But now, as a long, gruelling campaign draws to a close, Walsh has one last peak in his sights. Or, more specifically, three more titles – the Diamond League final in Zurich tomorrow, the worldclass Zagreb, Croatia, meet that follows and then the Continental Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic, that will lower the curtain on the northern season.
The big Kiwi has had a patchy lead-in to the finale and hasn’t broken the 22-metre mark since he threw 22.16m to win in Ostrava on June 13. Till then he had blasted past the threshold in six competitions, four prior to May.
But Walsh is a brilliant competitor who almost always rises to the big occasion. He is world indoors and outdoors champion, won the Diamond League in 2016, was an Olympic bronze medallist the same year, and has emerged, alongside American Ryan Crouser, as the most consistent force of nature in the strongest era of shot put the sport has seen.
It’s why, despite a comparatively modest buildup, the big Kiwi is oozing confidence heading into the three big-money events to close the season.
‘‘It’s been a bit scratchy but I’m starting to feel a lot better,’’ he tells Stuff from Zurich. ‘‘I’m going to drop a bomb in the next three competitions, that’s for sure. I’m feeling pretty good.
"You’ve got to trust what you’ve been doing and trust it’s going to come out on the day when you need it. What I’ve done so well the last few years is trust what I’ve been doing is working and it’s going to pay off – and it always has. So there’s no reason why it shouldn’t again.’’
Though no one has been throwing those ‘‘bombs’’ over the last month or so, Walsh believes the quality field assembled in Zurich – headed by Crouser (2018 best of 22.53m), defending Diamond League champion Darrell Hill, Brazilian Darlan Romani and rising young Pole Michal Haratyk (the only other thrower in 2018 to break the 22m mark) – will require something special to take home the US$50,000 winner’s cheque.
‘‘It’s been a long season for a lot of people, but I’m sure there will be some big throws in these last few comps because there’s a lot of cash on the line. There are very few events these days, when all the boys are there, that you’re going to win with under 22 metres.’’
Walsh, who is fully fit, aims to be there despite the fact his year has been as taxing as anybody’s.
‘‘This was a trial year for so many things. I threw so well early on, and then in June got back to pretty much where my peak was. But there have been a few challenges lately. I thought I’d be throwing further in these last three comps than what I have, but I’ve learnt a lot about managing my expectations.’’
Walsh doesn’t need a strong finish to tick off a rewarding year, but if you know his competitiveness, you know nothing short of that will sate his ambitions. He finished a disappointing sixth in last year’s Diamond League final in Brussels, and a return to Zurich, where he won the 2016 title, appeals as an ideal redemption storyline.
JACKSON THOMAS
MVP: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
He might yet take out the Dally M Medal, but there is certainly no denying Captain Roger has been the Warriors’ best this season. A constant threat with ball in hand, he chews up metres for fun – 348 his best effort this year, against the Knights.
Most improved: Ken Maumalo
Big Ken has not only eliminated issues with his hands which plagued him early in his career, but he has become one of the most physically dominant players in the game, averaging over 150 metres a match this season.
Buy/recruit of the year: Tohu Harris
Flip a coin between Harris and Blake Green and I won’t argue, but for me the big fella just sticks his nose in front. Harris has solidified the Warriors’ right edge defensively while also igniting its attack – just ask David Fusitu’a.
Best moment: Mannering’s 300th
A little early with this one, but Simon Mannering running on to Mt Smart tomorrow for NRL game number 300 in his final season as a Warrior will be quite a sight. The match has already sold out.
Worst moment: Anzac Day letdown
What a sinking feeling! Historically, the Warriors have performed well against competition heavyweights Melbourne, but week eight this year was not one of them. The Storm put them to the sword with an embarrassing 50-10 thumping in the annual Anzac Day fixture.
Best game: Round 7, Warriors 20 Dragons 12
The Dragons were undefeated and looked like world-beaters until they ran out onto Mt Smart. in week seven. A clinical Warriors’ performance saw the home side put the competition on notice.
Worst game: Titans towelling
With the chance to reach the NRL’s top four, the round 20 thumping, 36-12, at the hands of the lowly placed Gold Coast Titans was a hard watch.
How far will the Warriors go?
They might win one, heck maybe two, but the Warriors are not the 2018 NRL premiers. Typically when it comes to the Warriors I’m the optimistic one. But I can’t see them making too big of a splash in this year’s playoffs. Nevertheless, one win in September at least will be worthy of a pass mark.
DAVID LONG
MVP: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
It has taken a while for him to get to the form level he showed at the Roosters earlier, as well as handle the responsibility of captaining the Warriors. However, he’s there now and it’s no wonder he’s the favourite to win the Dally M medal this year. He is racking up huge metres every week and rarely puts a foot wrong on defence.
Most improved: Mason Lino
Up until this season Lino had never played in a winning Warriors side, although to be fair he’d played in some pretty bad teams.
He had never seemed more than being a steady player before, but this year he has shown there’s more to his game, he has a bit of X-factor about him and can readily fill in for Shaun Johnson or Blake Green.
Buy/recruit of the year: Adam Blair
It’s not just that Blair has brought a steely edge and given the attack some extra bite, but he’s also brought with him from the Broncos his great communication skills and leadership qualities. They paid a lot for him, but he’s been worth every cent.