New Zealand shotput star Valerie Adams has taken the lead in the Diamond League race with a season-best throw in Rome.
Adams threw 19.69 metres to win the competition in Italy, one centimetre further than her throw in Morocco two weeks ago.
"I'm happy with the consistency," Adams said after victory.
"There's still more there but hopefully in the next couple of competitions we can pump up that season's best a little bit further.
"Training has been going well, I feel really good, and the consistency throughout my throws have been pretty good, so that's good. I guess we just keep building now."
Adams beat her closest competitor by 71 centimetres as she continues to build strongly towards defending her title at the Rio Olympics.
After missing a year through injury, Adams admits that her strength is "back up to where it needs to be at this time."
Results: 1. Valerie Adams (NZL) 19.69 m, 2. Anita Marton (HUN) 18.98, 3. Aliona Dubitskaya (BLR) 18.38 4. Cleopatra Borel (TTO) 18.36 5. Tia Brooks (USA) 18.24
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