Shot-put legend Dame Valerie Adams was formally welcomed into the sports Hall of Fame New Zealand at the 63rd Halberg Awards, last night, in Auckland.
Held at Spark Arena, the annual awards celebrate New Zealand’s top sporting achievements.
Adams arrived at the event wearing a beautiful Ta’ovala - a tribute to her Tongan heritage and her pride in her mother’s homeland, Tonga.
Her success in the global shot-put stage is unmatched, as world champion in her field. She is a record holder and has put New Zealand on top of the shot-put stage.
Between 2006 and 2015, she reigned supreme, winning an extraordinary 107 competitions and earning World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year honours in 2014.
She represented New Zealand in five Olympics and won four Olympic medals, breaking records establishing her empowering female dominance in New Zealand sporting history.
Her impact on New Zealand’s sports includes four World titles, four world indoor crowns and three Commonwealth Games golds,
Achievements
- Olympic medals: 2 gold - Beijing 2008 and London 2012. 1 Silver - Rio 2016. 1 Bronze - Tokyo 2020.
- World Championships, 4 golds in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013.
- Commonwealth Games, 3 Golds, 2006, 2010, 2014.
- World indoor Championships, 4 Golds, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014.
- Halberg Awards, she won the Sports Woman of the Year 7 times.
- Lonsdale Cup Winner, 5 times winner.
Valerie Adams was born in Rotorua, New Zealand to a Tongan mother, Lilika Ngauaamo (of Houma, Tongatapu) and an English father, Sydney Adams.
