Adams sets Stadium record in Oslo

Valerie Adams wins first comp of the season, sets Stadium record in Oslo.

Valerie Adams

Olympic and world shot put champion Valerie Adams had a promising start to her European campaign leading up to the world championships in August with a win over arch rival Nadezhda Ostapchuk in Oslo.
Competing at the Diamond League Bislett Games Adams had the shot out to 20.26m, 34 centimetres better than Ostapchuk. Adams eclipsed the Stadium record that has stood since 1985 by two centimetres. Lijiao Gong of China was third with 19.57m.

Adams led the Belarusian throughout the event with four of her attempts over 20 metres and a final round of 19.90m.
“I’m happy with the win, pretty happy with how today went, my first comp of the European season, a little rusty in the competition arena, but most of my throws were over 20 metres,” said Adams.
“The world championship is the main focus this year. Ostapchuk and I have been rivals now for some time, and I have beaten her on two occasions in a row now.
“It’s going to be an interesting year, but I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” said Adams.
Ostapchuk, who beat Adams seven times, last year, is the world leader this year with 20.59m.
In the Diamond League standings in the shot put Ostapchuk leads with six points with Gong on five and Adams on four. The next women’s shot put competition in the League is in Paris on Friday 8 July.