Athletics: Injury forces Adams out of Continental Cup

New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams. Photo / Getty Images

Defending champion Valerie Adams was forced out of the Continental Cup shot put at the last minute.

Adams received a painkiller injection for an injury just before the competition started but it hit a nerve and affected the double Olympic champion's hands.

A very upset Adams was distraught at not being able to compete in what would have been her final meeting of the season before returning to New Zealand.

Adams' manager Nick Cowan said "It's very upsetting for Valerie. She has managed her season this year with injuries very well and it was unfortunate today she couldn't complete her season as she planned. The focus now is for her to get home and work with her medical team on the long term strategies and solutions to get back to 100% fitness and form."

Nick Willis followed up his sixth place in the 1500m yesterday with a fourth place in the 3000m this morning.

In a slow race with a blistering finish, Willis was not able to match the 54 second final lap of winner Caleb Ndiku competing for the African team. Willis clocked 7:55.50 behind the Commonwealth 5000m champion's 7:52.64.

The only other New Zealander in action was high jumper Sarah Cowley, clearing a best of 1.79m, finishing seventh in the event.

Cowley was also drafted into the 100m hurdles at the last minute and finished eighth in that event.