Athletics: Vili's record start to Games campaign

Valerie Vili started her Commonwealth Games campaign in style setting a New Zealand allcomers and resident shot put record of 19.38m in Hamilton last night.

The greatest distance thrown in New Zealand, by a woman, came in the fifth round, after an opening attempt of 19.05m Vili added 6cm to her own record, but was short of her national record of 19.87m set at the world championships in Helsinki in August.

"That's sweet, pretty much sweet," said Vili.

"It's my first competition of the season, and I needed something to get me going.

"It's a start, and my preparation is going well, awesome," she said.

Vili leads the Commonwealth and is ranked second in the world.

Chris Donaldson signalled his return to form with a confidence boosting victory in the 100m, heading in a star studded field in 10.67s. National champion James Dolphin was second in 10.68s with former national champion Donald MacDonald third in 10.79s.

Dolphin, who has qualified for the Commonwealth Games in the 200m, later won the 200m in 21.08s.

Beatrice Faumuina won the discus with a throw of 58.97m.

Melissa Murrihy of Taumarunui qualified for the world junior championships in China next August in the 3000m steeplechase.