Tom Walsh continued his stunning season with a second place at the DN Galan Diamond League shot put in Stockholm this morning.
In his best ever international result against all the best throwers in the world, Walsh, with a best distance of 20.79, beat them all except American Reese Hoffa,who tossed his winning mark of 21.07 in round five.
The 22 year old from Timaru, easily the youngest in the ten-strong field started with 20.50 to place him second after the first round, before slipping to third and then fourth after five rounds. He unleashed a big 20.79 in the final round to move ahead of German world champion David Storl and 2014 world number one Joe Kovacs (USA).
The second place scored Walsh two Diamond League points to go with one point for third at the Glasgow leg of the Diamond League, which places him fifth overall with one more competition for the shot putters.
In an action-packed finish to the season, Walsh has four more meets including the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League and the season ending Continental Cup in Marrakech.
The other New Zealander competing in Stockholm, Glasgow bronze medallist Zane Robertson went with the early pace in the 5000, passing through 3000m in fifth position in a quick 7:47, before fading over the last 3 laps and finishing 12th in 13:43.19. The race was won by Ethiopian Muktar Edris in a world leading 12:54.83.
Diamond League action continues for Kiwis in Birmingham in Monday morning (NZT) with Valerie Adams (shot put) and Angie Smit (800m) competing.
