Athletics: Vili hungry for more after retaining world crown

BERLIN - Valerie Vili has an eye on more glory after winning a second successive women's shot put title at the athletics world championships today.

The 24-year-old New Zealander required all her class in the final, coming from fifth placing after two rounds to win with a throw of 20.44m.

She finished comfortably ahead of silver medallist, German Nadine Kleinert, who threw a career best 20.20m, and China's bronze medallist Lijao Gong, who managed a personal best of 19.89m.

Vili struggled early on and found herself in the nerve rattling position of having to come from behind after she recorded 19.40m and a no throw.

But she regained her poise with her third attempt, eclipsing Kleinert's personal best by 5cm to seize control of proceedings.

Vili's triumph was secured with the winning throw coming on her fifth and penultimate attempt in a performance which catapulted her into the very highest echelon of her sport.

She became just the third woman in history to win multiple world shot put titles, joining German Astrid Kumbernuss and China's Zhihong Huang.

Despite such success at a relatively young age, Vili shows no signs of losing the drive required to compete at the top level.

"For as long as I enjoy the sport, I'll keep going," Vili said.

"I enjoy what I do. I go out and compete and have fun, and the day I wake up and don't enjoy it will be the day I hang my shoes up."

But Vili is a realist and despite her dominance over the last three years she conceded the competition was closing the gap.

"Definitely. You've got a lot of young athletes coming up, especially from China."

Competition was good for all concerned.

"Up and coming athletes are good for the sport, it's fantastic," she said.

Vili's good health and continuing improved performances have often been credited to her coach Kirsten Hellier.

Vili is full of praise for her mentor, whom she described as the "pilot of my plane".

"You know Kirsten and I have had a partnership for 11 years now. She directs and helps me to get to where I am today and I couldn't work without her.

"She understands me. She's a woman, there are not a lot of women coaches out there."

Vili is sure that Hellier's continued presence is a key to more success in the future.

"We've been together from a very young age. I didn't change coach when I was a teenager likes others did.

"She's been there and done that. She knows what it's like to be an athlete and a woman.

"I am very happy to look up in the crowds and see a little white lady up there coaching me."

As for Vili's immediate plans post the high of winning another world title, well, it's simply back to work.

"I have a few days off but then I'm back into training.

"I've got a couple of competitions next weekend here in Germany and then world finals and then I'll take a break after that," she said.

- NZPA