'A lot of mental pressure': New Zealand shot put star Tom Walsh struggles in Zurich event after 'challenging year'

Tom Walsh of New Zealand competes in the Men's Shot Put during the Weltklasse Zurich, part of the Wanda Diamond League at Stadium Letzigrund. Photo / Getty Images.

Tokyo Olympic bronze medal winning shot putter Tom Walsh has revealed he's mentally struggling after coming up short in the Diamond League season finale in Zurich.

Walsh has been far from his best in a series of competitions post Tokyo and could only finish fourth this morning with a best effort of 21.61m.

It was more than a metre shy of the winning heave of 22.67m by Olympic champion and world record holder American Ryan Crouser who added an elusive Diamond League overall title to his two Olympic gold medals, world championship titles and world record.

Walsh's season-best effort has been 22.47m and he hasn't come close to that after the Olympics.

"I had a slow start to the competition, and it wasn't the greatest first few rounds," Walsh said. "Then I sorted myself out and got going a little bit, but I just left myself with too much to do and Ryan obviously threw really well, and it just wasn't good enough."

Straight after Tokyo he headed to his base in Athens, Georgia to train ahead of the Eugene Oregon Diamond League meet last month. He then flew to Lausanne in Switzerland for another Diamond League before two competitions in the past week in Poland. Speaking after this morning's disappointment, Walsh admitted his mind isn't in the right place.

"I think there's been a lot of mental pressure this year and changes and worries and so forth and I've almost got half a foot on the plane home," Walsh said.

"I really hate giving myself an out because I'm not trying to do that. Physically I'm in as good a shape as I've ever been so physically there's no reason why I shouldn't be throwing far, and I know I'm capable of doing it. But mentally, and other sportspeople can relate to this, there's sometimes when you are not there - you can try much as you want and force it and try and get it and it just doesn't help at all."

Walsh still has one more competition in Zagreb on Tuesday before he boards the plane home and spends two weeks in managed isolation.

"I still have one comp to go - I would still love to throw far and I'm training to throw far but it's it has been a different year for me.

"It has been a challenging year and I am really proud of what I've done. I am not trying to give myself an out because I know I'm still capable of throwing a long way but hopefully I'm being a realist."

The double Olympic bronze medalist is looking forward to his two weeks in MIQ and another six weeks after that where he will take a break and not go near a shot put before beginning preparations for next season.