NZ Could Host World's Best

Published by the New Zealand Herald on December 28, 2014

Negotiations are under way for world indoor shot put champion Ryan Whiting and Commonwealth Games champion O'Dayne Richards to compete against New Zealand's Tom Walsh and Jacko Gill at Waitakere Stadium in February.

Whiting, in particular, is believed to be keen on travelling from his United States home to avoid the northern winter and combine a family holiday with competition and training. Richards would be coming from Jamaica.

February 26 has been touted as a possible date with the quartet also potentially competing earlier in the week in Christchurch.

If Whiting or Richards are convinced to attend, it would represent a considerable coup for organisers.

Whiting's personal best of 22.28m came in May 2013 - the best throw of the year. He went on to place second at the world championships in Moscow. Richards' PB came with his victorious 21.61m throw at the Commonwealth Games in July.