Indoors and in form, Walsh eyes medal
If there is such a thing as good vibes in a strongarm sport like shot put, Tom Walsh is feeling them as he gets set for a global meet that has been remarkably good to him over the years.
It is fair to say the 31-year-old Cantabrian is quietly confident of his prospects as he heads a record 10-strong Kiwi team lining up at the world indoors athletics championships in Glasgow, beginning early tomnorrow (NZT).
Walsh, who doesn’t quite rule the sport with the iron fist he once did, has learned to temper his expectations in an era that has been dominated by giant American world record-holder and double Olympic champion Ryan Crouser. Crouser is yet to taste global glory in the indoor arena.
But the Kiwi, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on competition day in Glasgow, is one of the few on the planet who have tasted repeat success over the intimidating American, and at a time of the year when field event athletes are often short of the rhythm they might have later in the outdoors season, he quietly fancies his chances of throwing the sort of distance that might yield some precious metal.
As always, Walsh is the warmest medal prospect among the Kiwi squad, probably alongside pole vaulter Eliza McCartney and high jumper Hamish Kerr, who won a famous bronze at the last world indoors, in Belgrade two years ago. Sprinter Zoe Hobbs will be chasing a final spot in the 60m, which would be worthy of a medal in itself.
There are two reasons for Walsh’s confidence heading into what will be a straight final. He’s won two golds (2016 and 2018) and a pair of bronzes (2014 and 2022) at these championships before, and it seems an event that brings out something resembling his best. He is looking to equal Val Adams’ record medal haul of five from the event.
Plus, he’s had his first full buildup on the indoors tour, and feels in quite the groove after top throws of between 21.91 and his season’s best of 22.16 in his last four meets.
“I’ve never thrown this consistently far this early in the season,” he tells Stuff from his pre-camp base in Loughborough, England. “I also feel like I haven’t really got hold of one yet. It’s set me up well. I’ve thrown well, but not exceptionally well yet. I’ve been knocking on the door, and I’m confident I’ve got a big one in the tank.
“World indoors have been good to me in my long career. I’ve had a pretty good hitrate, though I’d definitely like more of the shiny one. I feel in really good shape – good enough to throw a long way.”
You wonder at this stage of his career, recently married, with a potential Olympic swansong looming later in the year, if the fire in the belly still burns bright?
“Mate, absolutely,” says the genial Timaru product. “It’s been a long road back for me. Last year was the first I kinda felt that everything started to line up again, and I started to feel at home. I love it. I want the challenge, and nothing scares me.
“For a period things did scare me a bit, but that was because there were a few things just not right. Now I believe I’m capable of throwing a long way – long enough to beat anyone, even though some people don’t think so.”
Aside from Crouser, chief opposition is expected to come from world silver medallist Leonardo Fabbri (Italy), defending champion Darlan Romani (Brazil) and Jamaican Rajindra Campbell, who threw 22.16m to defeat Walsh in Madrid last Saturday.
Maddi Wesche opens the Kiwi challenge in the women’s shot put on opening day, with sprinter Tiaan Whelpton, 800m runner James Preston, 1500m athletes Maia Ramsden and George Beamish, and Walsh and Jacko Gill (shot put) following.
Hobbs and McCartney will compete on Sunday, with Kerr rounding things out early on Monday (NZT).