Athletics: Vili sure shot for Commonwealth gold

Valerie Vili

Valerie Vili cut her already short odds of leaving Melbourne next March with a Commonwealth gold medal when she broke the New Zealand domestic record yesterday with a throw of 19.44m.

The 21-year-old shot-putter, who finished third at the world championships in Helsinki in August this year, with a throw of 19.87m - ranking her second in the world - described her record throw in her usual succinct terms: "Sweet as."

Her throw at yesterday's North Shore Classic bettered by five centimetres her own national record set only last Wednesday in Hamilton. It provides further evidence that her preparation for the Commonwealth Games is very much on track.

"I wanted to throw better than I threw on Wednesday, so I'm happy," said Vili. "I'm on target [for the Commonwealth Games] and everything is good."

Vili was not the only performer to declare themselves satisfied with their day's work yesterday.

The renaissance of three-times national sprint champion Chris Donaldson continued with a double win in both the 100m and 200m.

Donaldson, who has battled for form in the last five years, took out the 100m when he clocked 10.61s. He was probably relieved that Donald MacDonald, arguably his most dangerous opponent, was disqualified when he false started.

With MacDonald, the national 100m champion in 2003 and 2004, out of the way, Donaldson just edged out Carl van der Speck.

"The start was pretty average but I was delighted with the way I finished," said Donaldson of his 100m win. "It's been a bit of a struggle these last five years. I've been racing and training but it hasn't really been at the level I've wanted.

"I had a few physical problems and they restricted me. Then, of course, it becomes mental. Last year was probably the worst, in fact, but I'm feeling stronger than ever now.

"I have a new weights coach and had a good winter training. I was really stoked with the way I finished the 100m. That is what will see me through the season."

Donaldson will travel to Melbourne as part of New Zealand's 4x100m relay team but he remains hopeful that he could yet secure the necessary qualifying times to compete individually in both the 100m and 200m.

"Yeah, I reckon I can get there," he said. "The conditions weren't ideal today to run a really fast time. I think I'm probably more of a chance in the 200m, to be honest."

Donaldson will need to get his 100m time down to 10.3s to meet the entry standard and his time yesterday in the 200m, 21.09s, will need to be lowered to 20.8s.

Donaldson's compatriot in the sprint relay team, James Dolphin, took the opportunity to have a crack at the 400m. Dolphin will compete in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games and, although he's not interested in attempting the 200m/400m double at Melbourne, it's an idea some officials may be keen for him to explore in the future.

He ran 46.7s with a tricky wind and heavy rain to contend with while also seemingly taking his foot off the gas quite early. He would only need to get his time down to 45.9s to qualify - a figure he looks imminently capable of should the longer discipline ever really take his fancy.

Nic O'Brien was unlucky in his efforts to qualify for the 400m hurdles and his time of 50.6s, although impressive in the conditions, left him six-tenths of a second short of the qualifying mark.

High jumper Angela McKee, who has already qualified, kept her spirits up with a leap of 1.83m but Kate McIlroy would have been disappointed with her third place and a time of 15m 59s in the 5000 metres.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY