15 Aug 2009

Kim Smith set for good run at world athletics champs

5:03 am on 15 August 2009

New Zealand's best medal prospects will open the World Athletics Championships in Berlin this weekend with Valerie Vili favourite to retain her shot put title, while Kimberley Smith has a good chance in the 10,000 metres.

Smith is considered the best of the rest outside of Africa, in particular two-time defending champion and Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia.

Athletics New Zealand high performance manager Kevin Ankrom believes she can produce a top performance if the race is run her way

Meanwhile Vili competes on Sunday night.

There are 11 New Zealanders at the 10-day event.