Rain affects Walsh, McTaggart in Lausanne
- Dave Worsley
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Rain has hampered New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh at the latest Diamond League meet.
Walsh finished fourth, well below his best throw of the season, missing third by just two centimetres at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).
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The indoor world champion recorded a best throw of 21.47m, just short of American Adrian Piperi's 21.49m, which was good enough for bronze. Walsh's best was 22cm short of his season-best.
"I was really happy with three or four of the rounds, but that fifth round throw (20.90) was bad and I'm really annoyed because Tripp (Piperi) then passed me to get into third place," Walsh said afterwards.
"I felt like I had a lot more in the tank today, 21:47 is solid, but not what I wanted to do, but there is fire in the belly for Zurich next week."
The result confirmed Walsh in the Diamond League Finals in Zurich, Switzerland next week.
"I'm the fittest I've been in 18 months (since his Olympic injury), confidence is up and really clear about how I'm going to throw far, it's just when. Now it's about being patient, not forcing it and it will come when it needs to come."
American Olympic silver medallist Joe Kovacs won in Lausanne with a distance of 22.04m, followed by Italian Leonardo Fabbri with 21.77m.
The Swiss meeting was held in torrential rain, which forced an early finish to the non-Diamond League women's pole vault. New Zealand's Olivia McTaggart was one of five athletes who cleared 4.35m before the competition was called off.
