Dame Valerie claims fifth consecutive Commonwealth medal

Dame Valerie Adams was not disappointed in missing out on her fourth Commonwealth gold medal in the shot put.

After leading the competition with her first round throw of 18.70m right up to the fifth round, Dame Valerie was passed by Jamaicas Danniel Thomas-Dodd, producing the winning performance of 19.36m.

Adams was unable to snatch it back with her final attempt of 18.55m and settled for the silver medal.

"Im happy with that," was Adams reaction coming off the field.

"Its been an amazing six months of my life, its been incredible, today I left my heart out there it was a great fight, Danniel deserved to win today she threw a massive throw, shes young (25), shes strong.

"Shes in shape, shes just come back from world indoors with a silver medal from there," said Adams.

"It was a great competition and Im honoured to wear the fern once again."

Adams didnt realise what the challenges would be coming back from childbirth with a daughter Kimoana six months ago.

"All I knew was that I wanted to give this a good crack. Six weeks ago in practice I was throwing just 16 metres and our progress has been pretty incredible since then. I must give a massive ups to my coach Scott Goodman who has just been nothing but phenomenal, and also to my mother in law who has been able to look after my baby while I trained and lived my dream of a fifth consecutive Commonwealth Games.

At my first Commonwealth Games I was sixteen, today Im an old 33 year old," said Adams.

"Im so proud to be a Kiwi, Im so proud and honoured that there are so many Kiwis out here tonight, and it feels like we competed in New Zealand."

Canadian Brittany Crew who competed against Dame Valerie in New Zealand before the Games was third with 18.32m.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand