Kiwi shot put star Tom Walsh has often insisted he's far from the biggest and strongest thrower on the world stage, despite his impressive array of world titles, and Commonwealth and Olympic medals.
But he's getting there.
As the powerful thrower gears up for his 2019 campaign, including the defence of his world outdoor crown, Walsh has posted video of himself achieving a personal best bench press of 225kg in the gym.
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"New PB on bench today 225kg!!!" he celebrated on Facebook. "5kg more than my coach's PB… #gettingitdone #offseasontraining"
National throws coach Dale Stevenson is a former 2012 Australian Olympian with a best throw of 20.63m.
While Walsh's rotation throwing technique is probably the best in the world, his bench press style is more of a chest bounce - but you can't really quibble with almost 500 pounds in imperial terms.
The Timaru builder began his competitive schedule two weeks ago with a solid 21.32m toss at the Potts Classic in Hastings.
But clearly he's stronger than last March, when he hurled 22.67m in Auckland for the equal ninth-best throw of all-time and less than half a metre from the world record.
Newshub.
