Sports commentator Joseph Romanos writes...
Valerie Adams is possibly the biggest superstar at the Commonwealth Games track and field meeting. She certainly lived up to that billing today with a really classy display of shot putting on her way to retaining her games shot put title.
Adams put together a sequence of 20.47m 20.39m, 20.08m, 20.31m. 20.44m, 20.14m, which is really smokin in anyones language. She was short of her seasons best of 20.86m, but then again she wasnt facing Nadzeya Ostapchuk, her great rival, who has beaten her consistently this year. Considering the lack of quality in the opposition, Adams really stretched herself.
Lets not forget, when she won her first Commonwealth Games gold medal, in Melbourne four years ago, she threw 19.66m, so she is several notches above that level now. She was overjoyed with her huge first throw and there was no thought of passing on any subsequent throws, even when it was obvious the gold medal was in the bag.
The New Zealander conducted herself superbly and brought great credit to a track and field meeting that has lacked big names. Nearly all the Commonwealths athletics superstars elected not to travel to Delhi. They cited a variety of concerns, ranking from security to health. In essence, they did not fancy travelling to a place they might not enjoy to compete for no money. Adams deserves much credit for putting her country, and the Commonwealth Games, first.
It has not been an easy year for her. She began the year as Valerie Vili with Kirsten Hellier as her coach. Now she has changed coaches. Didier Poppe is her coach and a few months ago she reverted to her maiden name, tacitly signalling the end of her marriage. On the world circuit, Adams has been only the second-best shot putter in the world, an unusual position for the current Commonwealth, Olympic and world champion. But she turned up in Delhi and competed outstandingly.
Its nice to see someone who has won so much so excited to be representing New Zealand and to be winning.
Im very happy with the result, she said. Its good to finish the season on a good note. Id like to thank the folks back home for their support and patience during a long year of ups and downs.
Adams can appear a fairly staunch character. She is physically intimidating and likes to keep her own counsel.
But New Zealand is extraordinarily fortunate to have such a world-class athlete. I noticed while attending the world championships in Berlin last year just how much respect Adams was accorded by the athletics community. Sometimes I feel she is taken for granted a little in New Zealand another gold medal for Big Valno surprise there. That should never be the case.
I know she has broad shoulders, but she is using them well to carry New Zealand sport. She is one of the big names in this games team and an inspiration to her team-mates.
Joseph Romanos
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