Valerie Vili tops competition and takes two Halberg Awards 20. February 08

Valerie Vili combined a world class shot put victory with acceptance of the sportswoman of the year and the supreme award in the Halberg Awards at the new Douglas track and field stadium in Waitakere City last evening.


Vili opened the competition with 19.55m and in round two sent the ball of steel out to 20.13m, her best performance this season and the leading distance in the world this year. In the final round Vili also eclipsed the 20 metre barrier with 20.09m.
Kristin Heaston of US was second with 17.66m and Ana Po'uhila of Tonga third with 17.37m.


"It was a great comp, twice over 20 metres, a new season's best and to top it off with the Halberg Awards, absolutely a fantastic night," said Vili.
"New Zealand sportsperson of the year is the icing on the cake after winning the world champs, it is an impressive trophy, I might melt it down and make a shot, but I wouldn't," she added.
Vili said that she was still having treatment for a slight niggle in her back.
"I slipped while sprint training on wet grass, but with the treatment it is going away."
To cap a great evening for athletics Vili's coach Kirsten Hellier received the coach of the year award.
Vili said that having Hellier as her coach has been a major part of her success.
"Athletics is an individual sport and can get quite lonesome, we travel the world together, I do my thing and she does hers and we are a great team," said Vili.
Hellier said that there had been some great sporting performances during the past year all backed by some outstanding coaches and to be singled out as the coach of the year was a great honour.

Stuart Farquhar could only manage third in the javelin throw with 75.15m. Jarrod Bannister of Australia was out to 81.33m for the win with Mike Hazle second with 77.54m.
Beatrice Faumuina had to settle for second in the discus behind Dani Samuels who threw 60.11m to Faumuina's 58.47m. Aretha Thurmond was third with 55.17m.

James Dolphin sprinted to his fastest 200m in the country with a time of 20.74s (+0.9). Jeffrey Thumath was under 21s coming second in 20.97s.

Anna Smyth won the women's 100m in 11.73s (+1.1) and April Brough the 200m in 24.20s.

Hamish Carson of Kapiti was impressive in the manner in which he won the 1500m out kicking Jason Stewart in 3m 49.04s. Aunese Curreen followed up his sub four minute mile in Wanganui on Saturday evening with a win in the 800m in 1m 51.28s.

Athletics New Zealand