Vili wins shot put gold for New Zealand
Associated Press
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BEIJING — Valerie Vili won the women's shot put at the Beijing Games on Saturday, giving New Zealand its first Olympic gold medal in track and field since 1976.
The 23-year-old Vili, the reigning world outdoor and indoor champion, won with a mark of 20.56 meters, a two-centimeter improvement on the Oceania record she set in winning at the world championships in Osaka, Japan, last August.
She beat two Belorussians. Natallia Mikhnevich took silver at 20.28 meters and Nadzeya Ostapchuk got the bronze at 19.86.
John Walker's win in the 1,500 at Montreal was New Zealand's last gold in Olympic track and field competition.
