Athletics: Adams breaks more records

By MURRAY McKINNON

Sixteen-year-old Valerie Adams, of Counties-Manukau, shattered more New Zealand records in claiming her first senior women's shotput title at the national athletic championships in Hastings yesterday.

Adams broke her own national under-18 and under-20 shotput records with a mighty heave of 16.11m, easily breaking the old mark of 15.72m set a year ago.

The future international prospect was well ahead of defending champion Tania Lutton, of Canterbury, who was well below her best and could manage only 13.91m.

Visiting Tongans Anna Pouhila, throwing 14.13m, and Melehifo Uhi, with 14.05m, took second and third.

Adams, who last week set a New Zealand under-18 hammer record, said that she knew the big throw was there.

"I always had it - it just needed to come out," she said.

"I enjoyed the competition, really full-on and being a Tongan myself, I was happy for Tonga to get up for second and third."

Shortly after the senior event, Adams won the under-18 shotput title with 15.41m.

April Brough, another promising Counties junior, claimed two sprint titles within 15 minutes. She edged Sarah Phillips to win the under-20 100m in 12.22s and then defended her under-18 200m title in 24.36s.

"I expected a close race against Sarah but I enjoyed it. It made things a little harder but I like a challenge," said Brough.

Brough was also attempting to defend her under-20 200m title and her under-18 100m title as well as competing in the senior 200m at the championships.

Outstanding middle-distance prospect Nick Willis, recovering from an illness, qualified for the under-18 men's 800m in a modest 2m 00.90s.

The Hutt Valley 17-year-old said that the illness had prevented him from completing a training session during the week - the first time this had happened to him.

"I have been crook all week and I didn't feel at all comfortable during that race, but I am sure I will come right," he said.

Michael Stringer, of Bays Cougars, was the fastest qualifier in 1m 57.32s.

Craig Barrett, despite admitting that he was not in top shape, easily won the 3000m track walk in 12m 8.04s.

Barrett said that he planned to compete in the 50km road walk at the Australian trials in Melbourne, in May, as his bid to qualify for the world athletic championships.

"I will be in good shape by then," he added.

Jonathan Wyatt, the world marathon running champion, showed that he has a wicked sprint as he outkicked Blair Martin to win the 5000m in 13m 56.72s.

Martin had the race almost to himself over the final three laps and looked a clear winner with 200m remaining.

But Wyatt gunned him down over the final 50m, dipping on the finishing line to beat him by 700ths of a second. Phil Costley was third in 14m 2.63s.

James Mortimer, of Bays Cougars, showed his sprinting ability, switching for the day from his normal hurdle events to win the under-18 100m title in a swift 10.96s, beating Otago champion Peter Cox.

Andrea McBride, of Waitakere, came back from a bout of glandular fever to successfully defend her under-18 javelin title with 41.38m.

Meanwhile, Phillip Jensen made it title No 6 in the hammer throw with 62.80m.

The under-18 3000m titles went to Hamilton's Rowan Baird, winning the women's event in 10m 3.10s, and Stephen Lett taking the men's race in 8m 44.74s.