New Zealand’s Valerie Adams has won her third world indoor athletics championship title after cruising to victory in the women’s shot put in Poland yesterday.
Adams’ fifth attempt of 20.67m was easily enough to win the event, with the next closest competitor more than 70cm behind. Adams ended the competition with all five successful throws over the 20 metre-mark.
The victory extended her unbeaten streak to 44 competitions, dating back to August 2010.
Germany’s Christina Schwanitz finished in second (19.94m) with China’s Lijiao Gong (19.24m) in third.
It is New Zealand’s second shot put medal at the championships after Tom Walsh claimed bronze in the men’s event yesterday.
Adams previously set a world’s best mark of 20.19m for the year at last month’s International Track Meet in Christchurch, which was her first competition since August. The double Olympic and four-time world champion also had knee and foot surgery in September.
Meanwhile, Nick Willis has finished fourth in the 1500m final in 3:38.47. The race was won by Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti in 3:37.52.
Willis positioned himself well with 400m to run but a fast last 200m by the leaders left the New Zealander just too much to do in the final lap.
NZ Herald
