Athletics: Valerie Adams makes it four in a row

By MURRAY MCKINNON

Valerie Adams came through a tough week to win her fourth New Zealand shotput title in a row in Wellington yesterday.

Adams, who set a New Zealand record of 18.96 metres two weeks ago in the Australian championship, struggled in the first two rounds finally managing a put of 17.55m in round three to stay in the competition.

She improved to 17.95m to take the title - more than two metres better than second-placed Ana Puohila.

After the Australian championships, Adams went to the world indoor championships in Hungary and returned early on Monday.

"It has been a tough week and 17.95m is reasonable," she said.

The world junior champion will now have a well-deserved rest before embarking on her next goal, the International Grand Prix final in Osaka in May.

Donald MacDonald from Bays successfully defended his national 100m title in 10.56s.

He had to come from behind over the second half to overhaul the local favourite David Falealili.

"I didn't get a crash-hot start but I kept cool and stayed with the bunch and I'm just stoked to defend my title," said MacDonald.

Jane Arnott made it six titles in the women's 200m, recording a time of 24.41s.

Monique Williams won the first of what could be three national titles in the under-19 division, winning the 100m in 12.22s.

Todd Mansfield of Canterbury qualified yet again for the world junior championship in the 200m, winning the under-19 title in 21.44s.

Craig Barrett redeemed himself after a disappointing performance in the Australian championships by going under 12 minutes for the first time this season in the 3000m track walk.

Amanda Gorst, from Hastings, started the championships in fine style winning the first title on offer by setting a New Zealand under-19 3000m track walk record of 13min 52s.

Nina Rillstone held out Melissa Moon to win the national 5000m title in 16min 3.63s, adding it to the 3000m title she has already won this season.

Jordan Van der Made from Auckland won two titles in the under-16 division, going from the javelin throw with a personal best throw of 62.89m to win the long jump with a leap of 6.5m.