The New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh has finished fourth at the Athletics World Championships in Beijing.
Tom Walsh Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Walsh recorded a throw of 21.58 metres in round four to set a new New Zealand and Oceania Area record, and a new personal best.
Germany's David Storl won silver with a throw of 21.74m with Commonwealth champion O'Dayne Richards third with 21.69m.
American Joe Kovacs won gold with a throw of 21.93m.
Walsh, who won bronze at last year's World Indoor Championships, was pleased with his performance but was disappointed to miss out on a medal.
"I'm pretty happy a PB and an amazing championships again, I can't complain, obviously everyone knew I was here for the top three, (I) had a really good build-up but had a shaky first three rounds, but then got into my work in the last three."
"The way I've been training there is definitely more in the tank and stuff. Bit of a shame I didn't get the third but I can't be unhappy with an area record and PB."
Fellow New Zealander Jacko Gill finished eighth with a throw of 20.11m.
The New Zealand shot putter Jacko Gill. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It was the first time in a field event final at an Olympic or World Championship meet that New Zealand had two athletes competing.
"It was pretty good, I'm pretty disappointed in my throws, but it was good to make the top eight. I was happy to perform on the day," said Gill.
"I was up at 3.30 this morning doing some weights and it has been a very long day, it's been about 14 hours, no sleep at all. So I'm pretty tired, but I'm happy to come out and do one weight session, do two throws sessions, warm up before each of those qualification and final and to throw on the 20 line both times was good."
"It's pretty cool. I'm only 20 and I'll keep moving up the ladder next couple of years."
New Zealand's Portia Bing finished a creditable 16th in the heptathlon with a final score of 6057 points.
"I'm stoked, obviously I had a few little faults in day two but I'm not complaining, I came in literally ranked very near the bottom and to actually come in the top 16, which was totally my goal, so I'm absolutely stoked. My first world champs so the competition is crazy," she said.
"The overall score (was) a bit lower than my PB, but there were so many PBs within the event and I think, just for me, it's just a massive build towards Rio, I'm really happy."
Bing said her biggest downfall was her javelin throw, which did no justice to the work she had been doing in training, but said her 800m felt like one of the best she's run.
