Walsh is bigger, stronger, faster
Tom Walsh has a few things on his mind.
1. Can he become the first New Zealand male to win a Commonwealth Games shot put title?
2. Can he become the first thrower in almost 28 years to throw beyond 23m?
3. What is the latest bet — or possibly threat — he and coach Dale Stevenson can concoct between themselves to drive the best from his performance?
On Monday, the 26-year-old will attempt to upgrade a 2014 Glasgow silver to a 2018 Gold Coast gold.
New Zealand has produced three women’s shot put champions at the event — Yvette Corlett (nee Williams), Valerie Young (nee Sloper) and Dame Valerie Adams. Among the men, Les Mills at Kingston in 1966, Courtney Ireland at Victoria in 1994 and Walsh have been runners-up.
A new chapter in New Zealand athletics history could be written at Carrara Stadium, given how far Walsh remains clear of his Commonwealth competitors this outdoor season.
Canadian Tim Nedow has thrown 20.77m, Australian Damien Birkinhead 20.75m and Glasgow champion, Jamaican O’Dayne Richards, 20.61m.
“I’m not that big of a favourite, I’m still paying $1.10 at the TAB,” Walsh quipped.
“But I know I need to take care of business. Last time I threw well, but got beaten on the day [by Richards].
“I’ve since broken a few records and become New Zealand’s first male world champ in a field event, but I’ve got to keep this ball rolling.”
Walsh said he was in the best shape of his life.
“Health-wise and physicalwise, there’s nothing wrong with me. I know they’re cliche´s, but I’m bigger, stronger and faster. My mental space is A-okay.”
Last month, Walsh heaved a personal best of 22.67m. How does he dispatch the shot that far?
“S**t, it’s not Dale [Stevenson],” he joked, in reference to the coach and former rival with whom he shares an extraordinary sense of repartee.
“There’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes with specialists. I think it’s just maturity, and being able to talk about things in-depth.
“The team supporting me are people who can answer hard questions. We are never scared to test each other and ask ‘can we do this better?’ which has created a great learning environment.”
More — Page 23