Athletics: Tom Walsh breaks own residents record

Tom Walsh of Canterbury. Photo by Marty Melville.

Cantabrian Tom Walsh out-dueled Auckland rival Jacko Gill on his way to a seventh national shot put title in Dunedin today.

The 24-year-old broke his own residents record with a 21.11m put with his third and best attempt, which was also the first time he cracked 21m in New Zealand.

Walsh's previous resident record was 20.91m, set at the Auckland Track Challenge last week, just two weeks after Gill set a 20.83m mark in Christchurch.

It was the first time the pair had met this season, after injuries have ruled both out of previous competitions.

Walsh's winning effort came just moments after Gill took the lead with a 20.22m put with his third attempt.

Gill extended his mark to 20.23m with his fifth attempt, but could not produce the big one he desired.

Walsh, who flies to Australia for the Melbourne World Challenge tonight, was pleased he and Gill finally got to go head to head.

''We dodged each other there for a little bit. I was scared of him to start with and maybe he was scared of me the second time,'' he said, with a laugh.

''It was good for us to line up today and put on a good show for the nationals. Without Jacko around, I wouldn't be throwing as far as I am.''

Gill, who has opted to return to Auckland to train instead of going to Melbourne, said he was hoping to get close to 21m.

''I wanted to do a bit better than [20.23m]. There was that big throw there, but it didn't quite come out today. I was quite consistent, but didn't get that one that popped out further.

Walsh and Gill will next meet at the world indoor championships in Portland on March 18.