Chris has the art of hammer throwing

Put a hammer in Chris Walsh's hand and he'll do one of two things - either throw it or use it to help create a sculpture. For the 21-year-old from Teesville is not only a champion hammer thrower but also a student on the University of Teesside's BA (Hons) Fine Art course where abstract sculptures are his speciality.

Chris took up hammer throwing aged 14 as a member of Mandale Harriers. He went on to join the London Shaftesbury Burnett Club who were in the British Athletic League Division 1 and competed nationwide and in Europe. More recently Chris competed in the British Universities Championships in Stoke and won a gold medal for a throw of 59.98m. He has a personal best of 60.53m and has turned down a scholarship offer from New York.

He said: "I'm a home boy at heart and would like to see the Teesside region acknowledged for the high calibre of athletes and coaches. I've got a sponsorship deal in the pipeline and I'm happy where I am.

"I also chose to stay on Teesside to complete my degree. It might seem a strange combination, throwing a 7 1/2 kilogram ball one minute and then picking up a lightweight paintbrush the next but the two interests are a great balance of my physical and mental needs."

Chris is off to represent Great Britain in Spain next month and is hoping to go to the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton next year.

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