Harrison Walsh Bags Top Five Finish On Worlds Bow….Then Targets Paris Paralympics

By Gareth James

Harrison Walsh plans on using the experience of his World Para Athletics Championship bow as a stepping stone for challenging for major global honours.

The Welsh thrower finished fifth in the men’s F64 discus in Paris – a venue he plans to return to next summer for the Paralympics having been forced to withdraw from Tokyo two years ago through injury.

Walsh was competing in his first worlds – while fellow Brit and bronze medallist Dan Greaves made his bow 21 years ago.

“It was a good learning experience – we came in with a goal of top six, and I achieved that but obviously I think I wish I’d performed a little bit better,” said the 26-year-old from Swansea.

“But at the end of the day it is my first World Championships, those nerves are something to learn from and I’ll come back better because of it.

“Some of those guys out there have been through nearly eight World Championships, and this is my first.

“I know I’ve got great potential and I know it’s there; I know I can do what those guys did. I’ve just got to do it on the day.

After a no throw in the opening round, Wales produced back-to-back efforts of 50.12m, 51,18m and 51.06m to keep in touch with the podium places.

Needing a mark in the region of 57m – a distance which would be notable personal best territory – Walsh unfortunately followed up with two fouls to box out his competition, his 51.06m best earning him fifth place.