Kiwi shot putter Tom Walsh finally landed back on home soil on Thursday, still struggling to comprehend the success of the past twelve months.
The 24-year-old received a warm welcome as he emerged through the arrivals gate, greeted by his girlfriend and a proud contingent of his fellow Cantabrians.
The Timaru native has enjoyed an exceptional 2016, punctuated by a bronze-medal winning performance at the Rio Olympics and consecutive personal best throws at proceeding European meets.
"It was pretty good," Walsh offered in typically understated fashion.
"From getting the bronze in Rio I felt I still had a point to prove, and I managed to prove that point really well in throwing 22 metres three times.
"All of the experiences were really enjoyable, and it's awesome to know I've got all this support back here as well."
Winning the IAAF World Indoor Champs back in March coupled with the addition of the bronze in Rio has seen Walsh rocket up the overall world rankings, which have him currently sitting in second place.
"I think that will definitely be coming in the next few years, for sure," said Walsh when asked of his ambitions to claim the top spot.
"It's a work in progress. I'm still young for a shot putter, still enjoy what I do, still love it.
"The main goal is just to chill, try throw far, and to throw far at majors."
But despite the physical demands he's endured over the past year, Walsh certainly won't be eschewing his duties on the building site.
"I'll take next week off, because I think I deserve one week off," he laughs. "Then the following Monday I'll be back on the site with the boys."
"I always get lobbed on to sites where there's standing frames or moving steel. I'm not sure why."
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