The United States has produced the last two global champions in the shot put, as Joe Kovacs won the 2015 IAAF World Championship and Ryan Crouser earned gold at the Rio Olympic Games. But neither would win in London, despite protests from both, as the United States conceded gold to Tom Walsh of New Zealand.

Walsh entered the final with the top mark of the qualifying round, 22.14m, and after Kovac threw the farthest on attempt No. 1, the Kiwi thereafter launched the top mark in every round with zero fouls. His winning mark of 22.03m came in the final attempt. The win was more impressive given he had sustained a groin injury during the qualifying round. The Rio bronze medalist is New Zealand's first male world champion in athletics.

Kovacs threw for 22.08m on the final attempt, which would have won the competition, but the mark was ruled a foul for touching the toe board with his left foot. He filed an appeal to the decision but was overruled. His best mark of 21.66m was good for silver on the day.

Thank you for all the support! Proud to go down swinging with a winning distance on the last throw. A foul is a foul. Congrats @TomWalshSP!

— Joe Kovacs (@JoeKovacsUSA) August 6, 2017

Stipe Žunic of Croatia threw 21.46m for bronze.

Olympic champion Crouser placed just sixth with a best throw of 21.20m, though he, too, had a mark declared foul that would have won the competition. He threw 22.31m on his third attempt and filed a protest just before the medal ceremony which was overruled. He told the BBC broadcasters that he is still looking for side footage of the throw so he can see the foul himself.


Kovacs and Crouser had combined for the top seven throws in the world this year.

"For me, it was just kind of a struggle," Crouser said to USATF. "The third round, it felt like I started to get it going. It was a big throw, especially compared to the rest of my night. 22.31 is what the protest measured at. We asked for a protest, came back, they made the right call. I kind of moved on from there. I tried to get going but it just wasn't happening tonight. Physically I'm in great shape, I'd say the best shape of my life, but it's kind of like a golf swing.  There are days you go out there, swing away, and everything goes straight and far, and there's nights you just hack at it. Tonight was one of those nights I was hacking at it."