Tom Walsh pipped for podium in Rome

Tom Walsh of New Zealand Photo: Dan Vernon / PHOTOSPORT

Canterbury shot putter Tom Walsh threw a season best in finishing fourth at the Diamond League athletics meeting in Rome.

Walsh threw 21.49 metres with his last throw, missing out on the podium by just 1cm.

He threw 21.24 metres at the Rabat meeting last week.

Italian Leonardo Fabbri was the surprise winner with a distance of 22.14 metres, while Americans Joe Kovacs and Ryan Crouser finished second and third.

Walsh will next compete at the Golden Spike Ostrava meeting in the Czech Republic in 10 days’ time.

New Zealand’s athlete Imogen Ayris competes in the women’s pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 17, 2025. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) — Pole vaulter Imogen Ayris Photo: BEN STANSALL

Pole vaulters Eliza McCartney and Olivia McTaggart both had disappointing outings in Rome.

They both only managed to clear one height, 4.30 metres, to finish at the bottom of the standings.

The event was won by Molly Caudery of Great Britain with a height of 4.80 metres.

New Zealand’s third female pole-vaulter Imogen Ayris won an event in Finland yesterday with a personal best jump of 4.81 metres.

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