Huge year for Tom Walsh capped off by naming as Halberg finalist

It’s a case of third time lucky for Timaru shot putter Tom Walsh.

The 24-year-old Olympic bronze medallist has been named one of four finalists for sportsman of the year at next month’s Halberg Awards.

Walsh had been nominated in each of the past two years, but fallen short of the final four.

Despite four South Canterbury athletes being nominated, Walsh was the only one to make the cut, with Olympic trap silver medallist Natalie Rooney, rally star Haydon Paddon, a double nominee, and rower Emma Dyke missing out.

Walsh, who picked up the World Indoor championships title, his Olympic medal and the Diamond League title, is up against boxer Joseph Parker, the WBO world heavyweight champion, and two fellow Olympic medallists, rower Mahe Drysdale and 1500m runner Nick Willis.

It was a big year for Walsh as he also threw more than 22 metres.

‘‘It’s a great end to last season, that’s for sure.’’

Being ranked as one of the top four male athletes in New Zealand for 2016 came as a surprise to him.

‘‘I certainly didn’t think 2016 would be the year but to be ranked alongside guys like Joe Parker, Mahe and Nick is a great feeling.’’

Walsh competes a day or two after the awards, so would try his best to fit them into the schedule.

‘‘I grew up watching them and have always wanted to go, so hopefully we can get to it.’’

Rooney, New Zealand’s first medallist at the Rio Olympics, could feel hard done by. She found out through a story online that she had missed out.

‘‘I’m obviously disappointed that I didn’t make the list of finalists after a good year,’’ she said. ’’I think New Zealand just don’t feel shooting is a big sport and that what I did was relatively minor to them.’’

But she was quick to push the disappointment to one side.

‘‘I had a great year last year with the Olympics and the World Cup. Now I’m just looking at focusing on what is coming up and getting back into my training ahead of my first event for the year next month.’’

Her effort in Rio was New Zealand’s greatest Olympic shooting result, the only previous medal a bronze in 1968. In October, Rooney capped that off with a World Cup victory in Rome.

Paddon, who had a superb 2016, was nominated for sportsman of the year and team of the year with co-driver John Kennard. The pair won Rally Argentina and finished fourth in the World Rally Championship.

Dyke was nominated for the team of the year award as part of the women’s eight, who missed out on a medal in Rio.