20 NZ Olympic Moments: No. 9, The Aucklander who owned the stadium

Valerie Adams (then Vili) and coach Kirsten Hellier at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Herald sports writers Dylan Cleaver and David Leggat continue to count down New Zealand's great Olympic moments. Today, at number nine, we reflect on the champion shot putter from four years ago.

The South Aucklander with a natural-born talent for throwing a 4kg ball of iron further than any other woman, Valerie Adams, is not prone to long-winded analysis of her technique or her success.

"I smacked the crap out of it," is one of her favoured phrases and, as much as you might crave insight, it's probably the perfect description of what she did one hot and steamy night in Beijing's Bird's Nest.

Adams might have been a shy 14-year-old when her then-coach, Kirsten Hellier, first met her, but by the time of the shot put final in Beijing nine years later, she basically owned the stadium. A monumental, personal-best first throw of 20.56m essentially won Olympic gold before her opponents had a chance to clear their throats.

The expected Belarusian challenge became a mere matter of sorting out the minor medals - perennial rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk got the bronze after managing 19.86m, while Natallia Mikhnevich took silver with 20.28m.

Adams, then known by her married name of Vili, posted a string of 20.56m, 20.40m, 20.26m, 20.01m and 20.52m. Complete and utter dominance.

"You've put in the hours, lifted the weights, thrown the shots, done the drills and it's just getting out there and doing it," Vili said in the aftermath.

The four years since have been turbulent. Adams went back to her maiden name after separating from her husband, Bertrand.

Another divorce of sorts proved more shocking as she dispensed with coach Kirsten Hellier after 11 successful years together.

Her partnership with French throwing guru Didier Poppe was ill-fated and, after a difficult 2010, she ended that formal arrangement, too.

But under the guidance of Switzerland's Jean-Pierre Egger, she has returned to her crushing best and is expected to win in London.

It would seem all she really needs to do now to defend her title is to smack the crap out of it.