Valerie Adams, the dominant figure in women's shot put until her retirement in the early 2020s, offers perspectives on the current generation of throwers in a new World Athletics video. The feature explores the event's evolving competitiveness and camaraderie. Adams reflects on the 2025 World Championships final and her past rivals now starring in the discipline.
Valerie Adams shaped women's shot put for over a decade before retiring in the early 2020s. In recent years, the discipline has shifted toward greater competitiveness, camaraderie, and individualism among athletes.
The World Athletics video feature, titled 'Steel-Hearted', features Adams discussing life as a thrower and the tactics involved in shot put. She relives the 2025 World Championships final, providing insight into the event's dynamics. Adams also reflects on former rivals from her career who have become prominent figures in the current era of the sport.
Produced by Marta Gorczyńska for World Athletics, the piece highlights the realities faced by modern shot putters. It captures Adams's observations on how the field has evolved since her competitive days, emphasizing the personal and strategic elements of the discipline.
This feature, released on 9 March 2026, underscores the ongoing vitality in women's shot put, bridging Adams's legacy with the sport's future.