Adams was today named a dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit and, given her world dominance in women’s shot put for almost a decade, some would argue it is well overdue.
Adams, now Dame Valerie, is an inspiration for many New Zealanders. Her humble South Auckland upbringing has been well-publicised. Her English father had children with five women, meaning she has 17 siblings, including
NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder star Steven Adams.
Dame Valerie’s mother died when the athlete was 15 and from there she came under the influence of her first coach, former javelin thrower Kirsten Hellier. She took the young woman into her home and helped transform her into a world-beater.
Dame Valerie has now won four world championship gold medals, two Olympic gold and a silver, three Commonwealth gold medals and three World Indoor championship titles.
She was New Zealand’s sportswoman of the year from 2006 through to 2012 and the supreme Halberg Sports Award winner in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Success has not greatly changed her. She is driven and fiercely determined, but that is just part of being the world’s best. Early in her career she was perhaps guilty of speaking out of turn and being abrupt. She has matured into an articulate role model, but one who is more than capable of mischief when the time is right.
She has ridden out her share of controversy — including a much-publicised split with long-time coach Hellier — with maturity.
She headed to this year’s Rio Olympics looking to win a third consecutive gold medal but there were concerns about her fitness given she had spent the previous few years battling numerous injuries and long rehabilitations.
She led the field going into the final round of throws and appeared on track for gold. That was until American Michelle Carter produced a throw which the New Zealander could not match.
After settling for silver, Dame Valerie was gracious in defeat. She was disappointed not to win, but resigned to the fact it was just the nature of sport. You win some, you lose some. It is not just in New Zealand where Dame Valerie is held in high regard. She has been a finalist in prestigious Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. In the lead-up to the Rio Olympics, she featured in a credit card television advertisement alongside other top international athletes.
She promised her mother Lilika, on her death bed, she would do everything she could to fulfil the talents she had been given.
She has certainly done that.
• The South again has a strong representation among the New Year Honours and 16 people were recognised for achievements in a wide variety of fields. The most senior awards were Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Wanaka-based rescue helicopter pilot Peter Garden received an ONZM for his services to the aviation industry and conservation, Robin Murphy for his work with land and water management, Bruce Stewart, of Calder Stewart, for services to the community and construction industry and former Queenstown mayor Vanessa van Uden for her work in local government.
