Athletics: Vili's new style brings taster of Beijing success

Valerie Vili demonstrates her new technique. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand athlete Valerie Vili made her first look at the Beijing Olympics venue a successful one.

The reigning world champion won the women's shot put with a throw of 19.41m at the Good Luck Beijing 2008 athletics meeting in Beijing last Friday night. Vili is in a heavy training programme working on improving her technique, which she said restricted her distances.

The 23-year-old has a best of 20.54m, thrown when winning the world title in Japan last year.

"It's not a major competition and I have made a few changes to my technique which I'm working on," Vili said. "This is the first time I've tried it in competition. There's always room for improvement and we are trying to find those ways.

"I've got two or three months to develop and master it. I'm very confident with how it is going."

At the same meeting, Olympic Games selection Stuart Farquhar won the javelin with an effort of 79.61m.

- NZPA