Valerie Adams in World Cup action for Oceania (© Getty Images)
Dunedin, New ZealandWorld Junior Shot Put champion Valerie Adams showed her top international pedigree by stepping up and throwing 18.91 metres to set a new national senior and Area junior record record by just over half a metre, on the first day (21 March) at the New Zealand Championships, 21-23 March.
Adams who as well as claiming the World junior title took a senior silver medal at the Commonwealth Games last season, had established the previous record while representing Oceania in the 2002 IAAF World Cup, with 18.40m.
Her 18.91m which she threw on Friday (21 March), betters the “A” qualifying standard of 18.55 for the Paris World Championships in August, and was part of an impressive series with all her five legal throws bettering her previous national record of 18.40m. Her series of throws was 18.91m; 18.45m; 18.48m; 18.41m. Trying for an even bigger effort her she fouled her final throw.
On Saturday (22 March), Adams returned to win the Hammer as well – 55.43m
New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games and World Cup winner Beatrice Faumuina was in fine form in the Discus, taking the national title on Saturday with a 63.40m release. Her season’s best is 65.53 set on 8 February in North Shore.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Craig Barrett fresh for his recent World Championships qualifying mark over 50km in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Tijuana, Mexico took the 3000m track walk on Friday with 12:05.51.
World Youth qualifiers –
Amy Jo Mann set an IAAF World Youth Championships qualifying performance in the women’s under-18 years 800m, running 2:10.77, to defeat last year’s title holder Rebecca McEnany.
Canterbury’s Sam Wilson was another to qualify for the world event in Sherbrooke in Canada later this year, when he clocked an impressive 48.69 in the men’s 400 metres. Hana McEwan also made the target required in the heats of the Women under-18 years 100 metres Hurdles.
Final Day - Sunday 23 March -
On the third day of ideal weather, a lone run from Rebecca Wardell snatched a World Championship “B” qualifying mark of 56.25 secs in the 400 metre hurdles. She equalled the target time required as she watched the race clock crossing the finishing line and broke her own New Zealand National record. She was the second woman to meet a qualifying mark during the morning session, as Gabrielle Gorst walked 1 hour 35mins 59 secs which was inside the required 1hour 36 mins 30 secs for a “B” qualifying mark at 20 km Road Walk.
Craig Barrett after his earlier championhips 3000m track walk win, won the men's 20km walk in 1:27:07 and in doing so his 22nd national walking title
IAAF and Athletics New Zealand.
Full Results -
http://www.athletics.org.nz/nr210303.html
