In-form Adams vows to hang on to crown

Reigning shot-put champion Valerie Adams has laid down the law to anyone eyeing her Olympic crown, warning: ‘‘I’m in the shape of my life’’.

Speaking at her final press conference in New Zealand before the 2012 Games in London, a confident and focused Adams revealed she is in prime shape, just five months from the opening ceremony.

‘‘I’m in the best shape of my life for this time of year, never been better,’’ Adams said.

‘‘And I’m busting my arse to get to the Olympics as prepared as possible, mentally, physically and emotionally. I’m not losing my title, that’s for sure.’’

The Beijing gold medallist and New Zealand’s leading medal hope for the Games acknowledged the added pressure of entering an Olympic year as the reigning champion.

But, she said, no-one is putting more expectation on the title defence than herself.

‘‘It’s the most pressure there’s ever been on me because I’m the champion, that’s the way it works, that’s sport,’’ Adams said.

‘‘You just have to deal with it. Experience helps, this is my third Olympics and you can’t let the occasion override what you’ve got to do.

‘‘You’ve got to focus and not let it become a distraction.

‘‘I know the pressure’s there, I know people want me to go out and compete and do well – and so do I, believe me, I want it more than anyone.’’

Next month’s world indoor championships in Istanbul, Turkey, pits Adams and Belarusian arch-rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk head to head for the first time this year in what’s shaping up to be the key barometer for the Olympic final.

But perhaps more import-

‘ It’s the most pressure there’s ever been on me because I’m the champion.

Valerie Adams Olympic shot-put champion

antly, the event represents a prime opportunity to deliver a massive psychological blow.

Adams has extra motivation heading into the event. Although she has won every major title her sport has to offer, she is desperate to regain the world indoor title from Ostapchuk who succeeded in Doha in 2010.

If Adams can wrestle the honour back, the New Zealand’s track and field queen would complete a grand slam of reigning titles.

‘‘Psychologically, whoever wins the world indoor title can land a big punch on the rest of the field,’’ Adams said.

‘‘I want to go there and prove again that I can throw better than anyone. I want that title back, and at the moment, it’s all I’m thinking about.’’

Adams, and, according to figures coming out of Belarus, Ostapchuk have been in good form in the early weeks of this year.

But Adams cast the net wider yesterday, refusing to entertain the idea that gold in London is just a two-horse race. ‘‘There’s not only us to look at, you’ve got athletes from America, Germany, China, even other athletes coming through from Belarus.

‘‘You cannot write anyone off. Yes, there is me and Ostapchuk, but there is also all these other athletes who have the same opportunities we do.’’

The indoor shot-put final is on March 10.