Tom Walsh has set a Commonwealth record with his first competitive throw on the Gold Coast.

He heaved 22.45m in qualifying with his forefinger and middle finger taped on his left hand.

The 26-year-old needed a minimum 19m throw, or to be in the top 12 to qualify.

He'll be on his way in a jiffy, his work is done for the day.

Walsh is aiming to become the first New Zealand male to win a Commonwealth Games shot put title.

Tomorrow night he gets the chance to upgrade a 2014 Glasgow silver to a 2018 Gold Coast gold.

New Zealand has produced three women's shot put champions at the event - Yvette Corlett (nee Williams), Valerie Young (nee Sloper) and Dame Valerie Adams.

Among the men, Les Mills at Kingston in 1966, Courtney Ireland at Victoria in 1994 and Walsh have been runners-up.