New Zealand's two-time Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams was beaten again on Wednesday at the first day of the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

Struggling for top form since elbow and shoulder surgery, the 30-year-old could only manage fourth place behind German winner Christina Schwanitz, who threw 20.13m.

Taking second spot was American Michelle Carter with a best throw of 19.24m with Hungarian Anita Marton third on 18.74m.

Adams, who won Olympic titles in 2008 and 2012, the latter being after she finished second only for original winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk to be disqualified for doping, threw a disappointing 18.69m, well below her best of over 20m.

Schwanitz will win the shot put discipline in the Diamond League rankings if she competes at the Zurich-hosted finals on September 2.

Adams returned to competition on July 4 at the Diamond League meeting in Paris but is yet to taste victory after a pre-operation winning streak of 55 consecutive victories that dated back to 2010.

The world championships will give Adams, who is the four-time defending champion, another chance to regain top form when they are hosted in Beijing from August 22-30.
Source: AFP