Athletics: V for (Valerie) victory

Valerie Adams erupts in delight after her 21.24m throw cemented her shot put triumph at the world championships in South Korea. Photo / Getty Images

V for Valerie, V for victory. Valerie Adams retained her world shot put title with a come-from-behind win at the World Athletic Championships in Daegu, Korea last night.

In the final round Adams threw a mighty 21.24m to set a new championship record and an Oceania and New Zealand national record. She thrashed her archrival Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus, who was second, by 1.19m.

Immediately after the throw, she picked up a picture of her coach Jean-Pierre Egger, pointing to it and saying "he did it for me''.

"I am mad, I am so happy,'' she said afterwards. "I have made so many sacrifices, been away from home for such a long time. I dedicate this title to my brother-in-law`s mum Margret who died. Thanks to the people who surround me in Switzerland, they made me feel at home in Switzerland.

"What gave me the kick for the last attempt? I knew that I had 21 metres in me and I had to get it out, I simply smashed it out.''

Adams quickly wrapped a flag around herself after winning gold and also held a sheet of A4 paper with instructions from her coach Jean-Pierre Egger, who competed for Switzerland in two Olympics.

On it was a picture of Egger competing in his prime with a speech bubble emanating from his mouth with the words: 'Dear Valerie, Go for gold, Ton Coach' and a handful of technical reminders for her to consider during competition.

The Olympic and now world champion for the third consecutive championships did not stamp her authority on the event early on as she usually does, despite an easy toss out to 20m during the warm up.

Her first attempt measured 19.37m, and after the first round Lijiao Gong of China led with 19.64m, one centimetre better than American Jillian Camarena-Williams.

Adams struck the harsh judging in the shot put at these championships with a slight foot foul in round two after sending the shot out over 20m.

Li Ling of China, coached by Adams' former coach Kirsten Hellier took the lead after round two with 19.71m.

With that determined masterly look Adams gets when things aren't going too well she seized the shot from the rack and went straight to the circle, putting it out to 20.04m in round three to take the lead.

Ostapchuk improved to 19.87m and Yevgeniya Kolodko of Russia moved into third with a personal best 19.78m.

Camarena-Williams fired in round four with 20.02m, Gong improved to 19.82m but Adams showed her superiority with a winning 20.72m, striding back out of the circle with a steely look of confidence.

Ostapchuk acknowledged Adams deserved to win.

"This year, I had to fight many injuries,'' she said. "I believed in a medal but, honestly, I did not expect it. I have many problems with my left knee which hurts me a lot.

"Valerie was very strong today and she was the clear favorite. I am happy for her.''

Adams now has the perfect platform and confidence to defend her Olympic title in London next year. It is the first title Adams has won since she split with Hellier and it shows she has refound the spark and energy that seemed to be missing for the past two years.

Adams is now only the second three-time winner in the event and the fifth woman to win three world titles and, at 26, still has plenty of time on her side.

- Additional reporting APNZ