The winner’s comments summed up an entertaining event – “The competition was really tough.”
Tough, but more precisely a battle which saw the former World Youth and Junior champion Valerie Vili of New Zealand, here representing Oceania, bring her Area a 9pts win, and secure herself a US$30,000 payday and her first senior global title.
“Athens is an amazing town. I am really happy for my win inside this stadium. The most important thing is that I gave nine points to Oceania.”
Vili’s series was as solid as a rock with the exception of a foul on her fourth and last put - 19.85m, 19.87m, 19.56m.
European champion Natallia Khoroneko (19.06m) for Europe was never in the true fight, finishing fourth, neither was Olympic champion Yumileidi Cumba of Cuba (19.12 – 3rd) for the Americas.
It was Russia’s Olga Ryabinkina who provided Vili’s stiffest challenge via a third round 19.54m.
Chris Turner
