Walsh wins shot put in the heart of Brussels

Tom Walsh is the first IAAF Diamond League champion of the 43rd AG Memorial Van Damme. Traditionally the shot put final is an urban event in the city centre of Brussels, this year taking place on the De Brouckere square. Walsh beat Darlan Romani and Ryan Crouser to the diamonds.

Seven out of eight finalists on the shot put managed to exceed 22 metres this season. Three of the them did so again during a high-level Diamond League final: New Zealand’s Tom Walsh (22m30), Brazilian Darlan Romani (22m15) and American Ryan Crouser (22m08).

Walsh took a deserved win, putting a 22m30 on the board at his first attempt and then managing to break through the 22-metre barrier again with throws of 22m07 and 22m05. The 27-year-old Walsh took his second consecutive Diamond League win.

On Friday the remaining 15 finals will take place inside the King Baudouin Stadium of Brussels. The men will dispute the 400 metres, high jump, discus throw, 3000 metres steeplechase, 200 metres triple jump, 110 metres hurdles and 1500 metres. The women will do battle at the AG Memorial Van Damme for the diamonds in the discus throw, long jump, pole vault, high jump and on the 100 metres, 5000 metres, 100 metres hurdles and 800 metres.