Kiwi Olympians open season with records

Tom Walsh throws during the shot put qualifying at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Getty Images
Tom Walsh throws during the shot put qualifying at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Getty Images

Olympic medalists Tom Walsh and Eliza McCartney have produced meet records in their specialist events with their first competitive outings of the season at Hamilton's Porritt Classic.

Walsh, shot put bronze medalist at Rio last year, recorded a best throw of 20.70m and two others over the world championship qualifying mark of 20.50m to show his readiness for the 2017.

The reigning IAAF Diamond League champion will go head to head with Olympic champion Ryan Crouser of the United States over coming weeks, culminating in the Auckland Track Challenge on February 26.

McCartney, who won a surprise bronze medal in the pole vault at Rio, cleared 4.40m in her season debut and will take part in the Vertical Pursuit event in downtown Auckland on February 22.

Other highlights of the annual Waikato meeting included a national resident record by Aucklander Josh Hawkins, who clocked 13.98s over 110m hurdles.

Javelin exponent Ben Langton Burnell achieved a personal milestone with his first official 80-metre throw, stretching the tape out to 80.38m, while high jumper Hamish Kerr became the third Kiwi to scale 2.17m.

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