Mike Hosking Breakfast

A humbled Tom Walsh was overcome with emotion after he and Joelle King were honoured as New Zealand's flagbearers for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Walsh and King were today formally announced as Ngā Pou Hapai (flagbearers) by Chef de Mission Nigel Avery at a team function held at New Zealand House in Birmingham. Walsh, a defending champion in the shot put, and King, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist in squash, will lead out the Kiwi team at the opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium on Friday morning (NZT). Moments after accepting the honour in front of 250 teammates, Walsh had to pause to collect himself when describing what it meant. "It's a hard one to put into words. When I got the call from Nigel, I was a little bit shocked," said Walsh, his voice breaking. "It's not why we do it, but it's a huge honour to get asked to hold the flag and fly it for New Zealand. To be up front with Joelle is going to be awesome." Walsh was in buoyant mood when speak