Walsh second in US Diamond League shot put

Kiwi shot putter Tom Walsh has finished second in the latest leg of the Diamond League at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday afternoon.

Throwing in cold conditions at the home of athletics in the US, Walsh hit his longest throw of 20.86m on his third attempt, well behind American World Champion Joe Kovacs who had a big series of throws culminating in a world leading 22.13 throw. Previous World Champion and London 2012 medallist Reese Hoffa finished third on 20.58.

Walsh picks up another six points for second, repeating his Shanghai Diamond League placing two weeks earlier and sits second on 12 points in the Diamond League shot put, two behind leader Kovacs.

Walsh said after the competition that he was "reasonable happy" with the result, given the quality of the field and the less than ideal conditions.

Coach Dale Stevenson was satisfied with Walshs progress this early in the season, saying after the Eugene result that, "Things are on track heading towards Rio."

Stevenson heads to Athens, Georgia, where the 24 year old Walsh will be based until the Olympic Games, making trips to Europe for further Diamond League events ahead of Rio.

Result:

1 Joe Kovacs (USA) 22.13

2 Tom Walsh (NZL) 20.86

3 Reese Hoffa (USA) 20.58

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand