Athletics: Adams hammers more records

By MURRAY MCKINNON

Valerie Adams, the world junior shot put champion, set two New Zealand hammer throw records at the national athletic league meeting in Hamilton.

The 17-year-old Auckland City club athlete tossed the ball and chain 56.54m to add 4.34m to her New Zealand under-18 record and extended the under-20 record by 3.38m.

In Saturday's competition, Adams also won the senior women's shot put, at 15.37m, and headed the discus field with a throw of 47.76m.

After having spent the previous evening playing a round of golf, Adams capped a busy day of competition with a second placing in the women's javelin.

In the men's javelin, last year's national champion Stuart Farquhar beat present champion Andrew Harrison with a throw of 71.98m, 47cm further than Harrison.

Another to excel with a top early season throw was Phil Jensen, who recorded 66.45m in the hammer. Jamie Costin and Craig Barrett provided a close race in the 3000m track walk. Costin held off Barrett by just under three seconds in 11m 44.95s.

Counties Manukau won the senior competition and Waikato claimed the junior division.