In the world rankings to day , in the middle of the season , there are 67  ”20m+” shot putters registered, they belong to 31 different countries but there are only 13 countries who have 2 of them , and 6 countries remain to be able to present 3 shot putters at this level which is not only a symbolic line but also the lower limit of the wide international élite.

And among these 6 countries (USA , Italy , China , Jamaica , South Africa , Germany ,  New Zealand is certainly, by far, the less populated. An interesting statistic which could ask for analysis and explanations !

Anyways , after Tom WALSH (PB 22.90m) , Jacko GILL (PB 22.12m) , there is a younger thrower , Nick PALMER, who has been progressing year after year and has a 20.32m PB . This 3rd man has now qualified for the next world championships in Tokyo to represent New Zealand for the first time in a major world level competition.  That was enough to rise our interest and see how this guy made it to this achievement and what sort of thrower he was.

Curiously, alike WALSH and GILL , he is from European origin and not one of these South Pacific Island ”big boys” . Many Polynesian have certainly the physical and mental qualities to become 20m shot putters , relatively easily and I seriously think it could be possible to have 20 or even 50 of them throwing that far (More than the USA !) , but what for !  The young big guys are not stupid and usually not from wealthy background , they all try their luck first to make it to the professional rugby teams as it is often their best chance to make a living for their families or become famous ! You certainly cannot blame them for this !

Out of that , Nick PALMER , is not one of these hypertrophied muscle mountains of men who are produced in serie in the US  or some other parts of the world . He is solid but not huge . And this is in itself already an achievement and a good new that good athletes can become good throwers without excessive iron pumping and heavy bodies .  Nick has a rather good technique and speed as we shall see in the provided documents .

This explains the 20m , but will that be sufficient to go to the next 21m step ?  Where can he improve now ?

Note 13 sept Tokyo World champs Nick PALMER finished 15th of the qualifications with 20.14m (Only 3 places short !

Visitors : 1-PDF 5 pages Technical analysis (sample)  2-Nick PALMER shot put serie 23 August 2025 Auckland

Members : 1-PDF 9 pages 19.75m Auckland 23 August 2025 technical analysis 2-Nick PALMER Video analysis 19.75m and mobile photo sequence