Sport

Walsh dominates in Melbourne

14:18 pm on 6 March 2016

A day after defending his New Zealand shot put title, Tom Walsh, has dominated the event at the IAAF Challenge meeting in Melbourne.

Tom Walsh competes in the IAAF world Challenge Athletics event in Melbourne, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Walsh won the shot put with best of 20.87 from Australian rival Damien Birkinhead.

He'd flown to Melbourne the previous night, after securing his seventh New Zealand shot put title in Dunedin with a New Zealand resident record of 21.11.

The New Zealand triple jumper, Nneka Okpala also excelled in Melbourne by adding a huge 0.24m to her national triple jump record.

Nneka Okpala lands in the triple jump during the IAAF world challenge event, Melbourne, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

She won the event with a leap of 13.89 metres, defeating the leading Australians.

The Melbourne based 27 year old's best jump came on the first of her six jumps and she also backed up with a jump of 13.80 which was ahead of her previous record of 13.65 set in Canberra last year.

New Zealanders Michael Cochrane and Cameron French filled the first two places in the men's 400m hurdles, running 50.48 and 50.57 respectively, dominating the top Australians.

Michael Cochrane competing in the 400 metre hurdles during the IAAF world Challenge Athletics event at Lakeside Stadium, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Their country woman, Kenzie Keenan, got a personal best 58.89 in third place in the women's 400m hurdles.

Tauranga's Joseph Millar placed second in both the 100m and 200m, recording times of 10.40 with a legal following wind and 20.95 into 1.0 head wind.

New Zealand sprinter Joseph Millar competing in the 100m at an IAAF event in Melbourne, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Orewa's Matt Bloxham finished 3rd in the men's hammer with 61.30. after retaining his New Zealand title the day before.