Valerie Adams
IAAF Diamond League, Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, QE Olympic Park – 26/27 July 2013
Valerie Adams continued her amazing streak of unbeaten competitions with a completely dominant win at the London Diamond League shot put.
Adams best throw of 20.90m is the best in the world this year and 20 centimetres better than her 2012 Olympic gold medal performance in the same stadium. The throw improved on her 2013 world leading 20.88m and was well clear of her opponents including the second and third best performers in the world this year.
Her series of 20.71m, 20.79m, 20.82m, 20.31m, 20.90m and 20.40m showed fantastic consistency. In comparison, world number two Christina Schwanitz of Germany was second with 19.74m and number three Michelle Carter of USA third with 19.24m.
The double Olympic and three times world champion’s unbeaten streak now stretches to 38 competitions over almost 3 years.
Adams commented that she was very happy with her London performance to improve on her season best and set a new London Diamond League record. She said she was looking forward to the Moscow world championships starting in two weeks.
At the World Championships, Adams will attempt to win her fourth consecutive world title and tie the record for the most consecutive titles.
In addition, it is expected that Adams’ other world championships medal, a bronze in 2005 is likely to be upgraded to silver by the IAAF following a historic positive test at those championships by arch rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk from Belarus.
Angie Smit took the most of her opportunity in her first Diamond League race to finish fifth in the 800m. Smit recorded a time of 2m 0.42s, just 0.39s outside her personal best set two weeks ago at the World Student Games in Russia.
After a quick first lap, Smit positioned herself well with a decisive move into fourth place with 200m to run. She fought hard up the home straight, but was unable to climb into a top three position. The race was won by Brenda Martinez (USA) in a meeting record of 1m 58.19s.
Smit now returns to the New Zealand team’s base in Berlin for her final preparations for the Moscow World Championships starting on 10 August.
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