Be the Inspiration: Tom Walsh

Biggest doesnt necessarily mean best, as shot put exponent Tom Walsh can attest.

While strength plays a major role in being able to hurl a 7kg metal ball 22 metres through the air, its also about timing, technical skill and rhythm. And a healthy dose of mental strength in a sport big on intimidation - goes a long way too.

Christchurch builder Tom Walsh is not the bulkiest or physically strongest athlete on the world shot put stage, and, he admits, competing against the goliaths of the sport can be daunting.

So to overcome any intimidation, he reverts back to the fundamental principal of believing in himself.

When you step into the circle, you just focus on you, and realise that size doesnt matter. Just do your best, he says. I rely a lot more on my timing and rhythm, and getting into certain positions at the right time so I can accelerate the shot a lot easier.

Thats exactly what Walsh did at this years world championships in Beijing, throwing a career-best 21.58m to finish just outside the medals, in fourth place.

The feeling of the perfect throw is what keeps him going. Hes experienced it maybe three times in his career: That feeling when it leaves your hand - Oh that felt nice - and it always goes far.

Good mental strength is also key to achieving balance in an athletic life, Walsh believes. With individual sports, because they are so focused, you can get stuck in your own world a bit. Its important to have ways to release, or check-out for a moment, so you can recharge, he says.

His job as a builder in a city that is rebuilding is one of the ways the 23-year-old can flick the switch from the intensity of competition. Its where he can stop being Tom the Professional Athlete, to become Tom the Builder, or Tom the Workmate.

While his workmates are always interested in his sport and his outstanding achievements, its not always the focus of their discussions. They mostly discuss everyday things, like cars, rugby and girls.

Training gets him back into the zone, and he works on building muscle and physical strength through his whole body, not just his throwing arm. Your legs need to be strong, as well as your upper body. You need good core strength, Walsh says.

He puts himself through a range of strengthening exercises - weights, squatting, rotating core exercises and bench press and adds sprinting and jumping work to ensure he is explosive in the circle.

As his status on the world athletics stage grows, Walsh is becoming increasingly aware that he may be inspiring other young athletes and that he has a wealth of support behind him some of it from Kiwis hes never met before.

Its always nice to know that theres not just your family or your friends; its also other people who may not know you at all, but just know you are the shot put guy and they are back home cheering you on.