Valerie Vili improves on her own Commonwealth shot record (© Getty Images)
With her successful ‘winter’ season wrapped up, Olympic and World Shot Put champion Valerie Adams brings us up to speed on her 2009 campaign thus far.
Wassup People,
Well the New Zealand season has now drawn to an end. This month has felt pretty long to me as I have been away from home a lot with two trips to Australia and another to Wellington for the Nationals.
I competed over in Australia at the Sydney Grand Prix (28th Feb) which went really well. I was happy with my series of throws and the final result of 20.09m. Then I competed at the Melbourne IAAF World Athletics Tour event five days later. The temperature between both cities were so different, Sydney was hot and beautiful while the temperature in Melbourne when I was throwing was only seven degrees. Despite the cold temperature, I went out, gave it my best and walked away with another win (19.36m).
We headed back home for six days after Melbourne then returned to Brisbane for a weeks training camp before the Australian Nationals (19-22 March). The weather was fantastic and we absolutely loved it. We trained at the Queensland Academy of Sport which is an awesome environment to be in. It is very professional and has great facilities. I competed on the first day of the Australian Champs and wanted to throw well. I popped out 20.22m on the first throw and I was very pleased with my back ups and series. My husband Bertrand also threw at the Australian Nationals and won the Men’s Discus with 61.81m so it was a great trip for the both of us.
This last weekend (27-29 March) we headed down to windy Wellington for the New Zealand Nationals. It is great competing here in New Zealand as the public get to come and see what athletics is all about and what we do because we hardly do compete at home. On the first day of competition Bertrand threw a PB and a ‘B’ Qualifier for the World Champs of 63.66m which was awesome. I’m so proud of him! I threw on Saturday at 2pm. I can't remember the last time I competed at 2pm! I was up against a small field with three New Zealanders (including myself) and two Internationals. I threw pretty consistently and ended up with 19.81m. I was hoping for more but still happy to take my ninth Nationals Title.
Next Year the Nationals will be held in Christchurch. I love competing there so it will be fun and I will be looking to win a tenth title. It just shows how long I have been in the sport.
Studies have been interesting in the last month but as I have hardly been home April will be a big catch up month for me!! But I am enjoying the course very much.
Tomorrow I get presented my order of merit medal so that I am looking forward to also.
Well for me now it is back to the grindstone as the big focus this year is the World Champs so till next time people.
Laters,
Val
