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Important SN update for Southland‘Still more in the tank’: Walsh rediscovers his groove in Rome
Kieran Bingham • June 9th, 2025 2:00 pm
Photo: Wanda Diamond League
Tom Walsh is back on top of the Diamond League podium and back in his rhythm.
The Kiwi shot putter claimed victory in Rome with a season-best throw of 21.89m, his first Diamond League win since 2021. It was a satisfying result, but not without its frustrations.
Speaking on Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy on Monday morning, Walsh reflected on the mixed emotions.
“It’s good to be back on top again, but also a little frustrating that I didn't add anything more to it after the first round,” Walsh said. “But you know, you still got to get it done, right?
“It’s a really nice feeling to finish that group of four competitions on. I always want a little bit more.”
Walsh found his groove early in the event but felt he left some distance out there.
“I had some good throws that were in rhythm, that had timing, that were smooth, but I just didn't line them up through the finish of the ball.
“I knew I had more in my tank. It's obviously nice to win. But then, it would have been nice to put a wee bit of icing on the cake.”
In the past year, Walsh and his team have focused on refining their approach - not through big changes - but through better clarity and communication.
“I think last year we had a pretty bloody hard look at ourselves as a whole team and personally about some stuff.
“We didn't change a hell of a lot, but one thing we're really on top of is communication between the team, the direction that we're going in, why we are doing certain stuff, why we aren't doing other stuff.”
The Olympic bronze-medallist explained there's also been a shift in physical preparation, with a renewed focus on throwing performance over pure gym strength.
“One of the big things this year we've decided to try and do is be a lot more focused on throwing rather than necessarily the gym side of things.
“Some years it gets a bit more strength-focused so that we move the needle there, and hopefully that helps throwing down the track. But this year is more throwing focused. Everything's kind of leading into that.”
Walsh's weight and body composition have also been closely managed.
“We’ve kind of identified somewhere between 135 to 137 kilos as where I want to sit. That helps me with movement, but also with recovery and all sorts of things like that.
“I've been getting my skinnies (skinfold testing) done every four to six weeks to make sure I'm not sliding. And I’m obviously also on the scale to weigh in every day too, which after a big night out is not the greatest thing, but a few days later it's all right.”
Looking ahead, Walsh's focus now shifts to a mid-season reload and the lead-in to the World Championships.
“I've actually got a two-week reload phase in the gym. So a little bit of gym stuff, but not a hell of a lot. Then I start freshening up again through into August when I start competing again before Worlds.
“Start of August is my next big competition. I've got four before World Championships and Tokyo at the end of the year.”
Walsh knows the bar will be even higher when it comes time to fight for a medal.
“I know that 21.89m won't be enough to win a medal at world champs, but I think all the guys know that.
“I’ll need to be at my best to have a chance to win and have a chance to get the medal.”
Listen to the full interview:
