Athletics: Adams tops world juniors in shot put

Valerie Adams set the stage for a distinguished athletics career when she demolished the field today to win the women's shot put at the world junior track and field championships being held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Adams recorded the winning throw of 17.73 metres in round one of the competition, leaving the rest of the field, including the world number one from China, Zhang Ying, struggling to beat that mark.

In the end, Adams' victory margin was by a massive 97cm - and all four of her legal attempts were better than any by her opposition.

With the throw, Adams who won the world under-18 title last year in the same event, also set a New Zealand record.

This sets Adams up perfectly for her next assignment - the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in the next fortnight.

She leaves Jamaica tomorrow with coach Kirsten Hellier to join the New Zealand team in Manchester on Tuesday.

"I have just spoken with a very excited Valerie and she is over the moon with the result, and the consistency of her throws," Athletics NZ general manager John Stewart said.

"Team manager Brett Addison said Valerie's single-mindedness came through today - she was focused totally on her own throws and dominating the other competitors. They were never in the hunt, yet their previous form indicated they should be.

"Coach Kirsten Hellier has done a wonderful job in mentoring and supporting Valerie over recent years, and as a coach for preparing for today," Stewart said.

In other events, the New Zealand junior men's 4x100m relay team finished ninth.

Clint Grooby (Motueka), James Mortimer (North Shore), Hayden Townsend (Feilding) and James Dolphin (North Shore) ran fifth in heat two and missed a place in the final by 0.19 secs.

Their time of 40.35 secs was just 0.24 secs outside the New Zealand Junior record set in 1996.

But they had the consolation of knowing they ran faster than their Australian counterparts who finished 5th in heat one.

Women's shot put final result:

Valerie Adams, NZ, 17.73, 1; Zhang Ying, China, 16.76, 2; Laura Gerraughty, USA, 16.62, 3.

- NZPA