Athletics: Vili chalks up another win

Champion New Zealand shot putter Valerie Vili extended her long winning streak in Brazil today.

The reigning Olympic and world champion proved much too good for her rivals at the Sudamericano grand prix meeting at Uberlandia.

Vili posted a best throw of 20.40m for her 19th successive competition win as she continues her preparations for the athletics world championships in Germany in August.

That was 29cm short of her career best, recorded on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, but still comfortably too good for her opponents.

Vili finished ahead of Belarussian Natallia Mikhnevich, who was second with 20.03m, and Cuba's Misleydis Gonzalez, whose best of 18.85m earned her third spot.

Mikhnevich posted her top throw in the second round when Vili responded with 20.02.

Vili fouled out in the third round then reeled of 20.31m and 20.40m before closing with 19.65m.

- NZPA