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Blackcaps LIVE on SN ExtraWalsh confident despite frustrating build-up to Commonwealth Games
Sport Nation • July 22nd, 2026 8:35 am
Tom Walsh wins the men's shot put final during the World Athletics Indoor Championships | Photo: Photosport
Tom Walsh believes he's building towards his best form ahead of the Commonwealth Games, despite another frustrating season.
The two-time Olympic medallist said he is physically in good shape and feels he still has "a lot of juice in the tank", with encouraging signs emerging during last week's World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet in Madrid, where he won the men's shot put with a throw of 21.71m.
"It's been a frustrating season for me again," Walsh told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.
"I haven't quite put the pieces together outdoors but there were some good steps in the right direction in Madrid last weekend.
"I'm throwing these distances and it doesn't feel like I'm really getting hold of the shot put at all. So that means I've got a lot of juice in the tank."
Maddy 'Flash' Gordon ahead of the Commonwealth Games | Sport Nation Afternoons
Walsh said his focus is less on technical changes and more on trusting the work he's already put in.
"It's not about trying to make any of it happen. It's about trying to trust the work I have done."
Either way, the Christchurch thrower is looking forward to representing New Zealand at another pinnacle event.
"Every time I get to wear that black singlet it's something pretty special," he said.
Walsh said Nigeria's Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and England's Scott Lincoln loom as his biggest rivals for gold, while fellow Kiwi Nick Palmer has also put himself in medal contention after throwing beyond 21 metres this season.
Listen to the full interview below:
