With all four throws good enough to win, Valerie Vili takes an easy victory in the shot (© Getty Images)
After conquering the Olympic Shot Put title, which added to her World Outdoors, Indoors, Junior, Youth and Commonwealth titles, Valerie Adams is eager for yet another successful season...
“Welcome everyone,
“I’m really looking forward to this year and the World Championships in Berlin (where Adams will defend the title she won in Osaka). 2008 was a fantastic year for me but I have to continue to train hard if I want to be successful again this year. I’ve been back in training since October last year and at the moment my coach, my training group and I are putting in the hard work. We are always looking to improve my strength, power and technique.
“My first competition this year will be in three weeks time (the IAAF Permit Meeting in Waitakere on 20 February). There isn’t any competitor that has been confirmed yet so will see what happens. I really hope that we will see another thrower come through to the top level in the next few years, whether it is in my event – the shot put, or the discus or one of the other events. That would be great for New Zealand. Records are made to be broken I reckon.
“My comps for the season will then continue on the Sydney Grand Prix, Melbourne Grand Prix, Aussie Nationals then NZ Nationals so a full on next few months, can't wait.
“I’m also planning to be away for much of the year at training camps and competitions. These are both hard work and a lot of fun with my coach and I, but I’m still a homebody at heart.
“Last year, I gave up work at Macleans College (as an assistant sports co-ordinator) to concentrate on the Olympics. This year, I’m going back to school! I have enrolled at AUT (Auckland Unitech of Technology) in a landscape design course. It’s an area which I’m really interested in and enjoy doing in my spare time.
“So that's about it for now, it's January and a month full of planning and sorting for the year but looking forward to 2009.
“Catch You Up”
Val
