WEIGHTY DECISION

Controversial Kiwi calls it quits

Kiwi athletics icon Dame Valerie Adams, left, has a unique challenge on her hands leading into her fifth Commonwealth Games.

Preparing for a major competition, with the expectation of a nation on her shoulders, would be hard enough for most, as would caring for a six-monthold baby, but Adams is doing both.

The champion shot putter is on the Gold Coast and juggling the duties of motherhood and preparing to defend her gold medal in the women’s shot put.

The Kiwi icon posted a photo on Twitter of herself and her daughter, Kimoana Josephine Adams-Price, yesterday to celebrate the sixth-month anniversary of her birth.

The 2018 Games will be Adams’ fifth time competing in the Commonwealth Games.

‘‘Happy 6 months baby girl. I love you more then you’ll ever know. Our journey so far has been incredibly amazing but tough. Today we are in the Gold Coast for mummy’s 5th Commonwealth Games. Thankyou (sic) for the inspiration,’’ her post said.

Kimoana, dressed in a New Zealand Commonwealth Games supporters kit, is obviously ready to support her mum when she competes in the women’s shot put qualifying tomorrow and the finals the following evening.

Adams’ four previous Commonwealth Games have yielded three gold medals and a silver.

She won silver in Manchester (2002) before a hat-trick of golds at Melbourne (2006), Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014).

Adams and husband Gabriel Price welcomed their baby daughter into the world back in October.