METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

Kiwi shot putters on the road to Commonwealth wins

Sport

Zion Dayal
Screen Shot 2018 03 20 at 12.02.51 PM
Dame Valerie Adams throwing at The Big Shot competition.  Brooke Jenner

World Champions Dame Valerie Adams and Tom Walsh have made strong statements in the local Big Shot competition, just in time for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The power duo threw season bests against their international rivals at the annual Christchurch Big Shot competition.

Adams threw over 18 metres in what she labelled her "season's best," despite falling behind Canadian Brittany Crew for second place. 

Tom Walsh took out the men's division with a staggering 21.65 metre throw.  He said he still felt like he sat back on the shot put and didn't have much power.

Walsh and Adams said they have turned their focus to next month's Commonwealth Games.

 


Adams has three Commonwealth Games gold medals to her name, while Tom Walsh will look to push for his first Commonwealth gold. 

Walsh won the World Indoor Championships earlier this month and said he was "feeling good physically" in the lead up to the Games.

He said: "Mentally, I am feeling a bit tired from all the travel and the comps I've had over the last two-and-a-half weeks."

When asked about Commonwealth Games, he said he would bring his A game. "I have another three weeks to go and will be nice and fresh by then".

 

Dame Valerie Adams had an impressive showing at the Big Shot Competition but said she would have more to show come the Commonwealth Games.

"I have one more comp on Sunday, then the Commonwealth Games," she said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Dame Valerie Adams said she knew what was needed for competitions and she was doing "very well in training".

"It is one of those things that you have to keep competing so you get yourself into the rhythm of things."

 

Both athletes will compete at the Sir Graeme Douglas International Track Challenge in Auckland on Sunday, before travelling to the Gold Coast for the start of the Commonwealth Games on April 4.