Birkinhead sets Australian shot put record

National shot put champion Damien Birkinhead has set a new Australian record in finishing second at the IAAF World Challenge Event in Croatia.

Birkinhead's best throw of 21.35 metres in Zagreb on Tuesday morning (AEST) beat his coach Scott Martin's old mark of 21.26 metres set in 2008.

New Zealand's world champion Tom Walsh won with a throw of 21.50 metres, while Poland's Michal Haratyk was third with a throw of 21.34 metres.

Birkinhead, 24, had a disappointing World Championships in London where he finished 20th.

He was 10th at last year's Rio Olympics.