by Larry EderValerie Adams is the best women shot putter in the world. She is also one of the most competitive athletes anywhere in our sport. When she gets pushed by, say Nadzeya Ostapchuk, Adams calls on the competitive and seems not to like to loose. Here is how she won her World Indoor title in 2012:
Valerie Adams, the New Zealander who won the World Champs in 2011, does not give up easily. In Istanbul, Adams fouled, threw 20.48m, putting her into the lead, fouled, threw 20.41m, then 20.29m, then she blasted 20.54m to make sure all knew she was the gold medalist.
Nadezeya Ostapchuk of Belarus took the silver. She opened with 20.20m, then a foul, then 20.12m, then a fould, then 20.42m, her farthest of the competition, and then a foul.
Michelle Carter opened with 18.88m, then threw 19.36m. On the next throw, Jillian Camerena-Williams threw 19.44m, and moved into third. On the next round, Carter threw 19.58m, moving her back into the bronze medal position. Carter then threw 19.30m, 18.66m and fouled.
It was now up to Jillian Camerena Williams. Jillian responded with a foul, then, 19.32m, a foul, then, 19.24m. Michelle Carter would get the bronze, and Jillian would take fourth.
Here is what Valerie, no shrinking violet, said about her win: ” I trained my butt off. I am very excited. And, I am very excited about the Olympics coming up but there is still a lot of training to be done. Still some months to go. I have regained my indoor title today. There is a good rivalry between us shot putters, today again it was a competition like at Olympic Games. This victory means a lot to me. It was a great competion with a great outcome. I felt really good today. I was probably a little bit nervous because of the clash with Ostapchuk. “
Michelle Carter, the US bronze medalist noted: ” I am excited to have produced my season’s best here. Jill and I have been working so hard this year and we want to show the US can also do well in the Women’s shot put. It is a great confidence booster for the Olympics and I will continue to work hard. ”
Women’s Shot Put 1. Valerie Adams, NZ, 20.54m, 2. Nadzeya Ostapchuk, BLR, 20.42m, 3. Michelle Carter, USA, 19.58m, 4. Jillian Camerena-Williams, 19.44m, 5. Nadine Kleinart, GER, 19.29m, 6. Xiangrong Liu, CHN, 18.63m
To learn more about the shot put, please see World Indoors, Day 2
