Tom Walsh wins fourth world indoor shot put title in Poland, bronze for Imogen Ayris

New Zealand’s Tom Walsh left it late to bag a fourth world indoor shot put title in Torun, Poland, overnight.

The 34-year-old, who previously won world indoor golds in 2016, 2018 and 2025, managed a best of 21.82m with his sixth attempt.

The two-time Olympic bronze medallist had moved into pole position with his fifth effort of 21.66m, and eventually finished 18cm ahead of American silver medallist Jordan Geist (21.64m).

A second American, Roger Steen, rounded out the podium with a best of 21.49m.

“My whole career started in Poland with bronze at the 2014 world indoors in Sopot,” said Walsh, who also bagged a bronze in 2022 and a silver in 2024 to go with his quartet of golds.

“If you told me then that I would still be here winning medals at every edition since then I would tell you you were dreaming.

“It is great to see I can still do it against the younger guys.”

Walsh, who was also crowned world outdoor champion in London in 2017, added: “My goal for today was to throw 22m and win a medal. I did not quite get to 22 but I won gold so it is pretty good.

“I was glad I was able to build things up as the competition went on. Throwing last when you know you have won sometimes saps the energy out of you but, at other times, it can give you a boost, and that happened for me today.”

Imogen Ayris added a second medal on the day for New Zealand with bronze in the women’s pole vault.

Ayris had a clean score card up to 4.70m, with first time clearances at all heights. The next progression of 4.80m, unstuck most of the field as all but two athletes failed to clear the height. Leaving Ayris in a three way tie for bronze with Amálie Švábíková (Czech Republic) and Angelica Moser (Switzerland).

The only two athletes over 4.80m were Molly Caudrey (Great Britain) and Tina Sutej (Slovenia). Caudrey eventually winning the outright title, with a 4.85m clearance to defend her title from 2025.

Eliza McCartney also cleared 4.70m, with close attempts at 4.80m. McCartney couldn’t quite find the height of two weeks ago in Auckland where she cleared 4.81m at the NZ Track and Field Championships. She finished in outright sixth in the competition.