Valerie Adams is the sister of NBA player Steven Adams of the Thunder. (Getty)
The Adams family of New Zealand is a very big, very athletic bunch.
One of the 18 siblings is Valerie Adams, a world class shot putter and athlete with gold medals and world championships on her resume.
Her brothers include an NBA player and two others who played in the New Zealand professional league.
The Adams brothers’ average height is 6-foot-9, the sisters 6-feet.
Here’s what you need to know about Valerie Adams:
1. Adams Is a Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Valerie Adams is one of the top shot putters in the world, and she has the hardware to prove it.
Adams is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 Beijing and 2012 London). In 2008, Adams threw 20.56 meters, then a personal best, to beat Belarus’ Natallia Mikhnevich to win New Zealand’s first Olympic gold since 1976.
In 2012, Adams won silver, but was awarded gold when Nadezhda Ostapchuk of Belarus failed drug tests.
In her debut Olympics, she placed seventh at the 2004 Athens games.
2. She Has Won World Titles at the Youth, Junior & Senior Levels
Adams is one of 9 athletes in history to win world titles at the youth, junior and senior levels. That group includes sprinter Usain Bolt.
In addition to her two Olympic golds, Adams has won the following:
2001 World Youth Championships
2002 World Junior Championships
2005 World Athletics Final*
2006 Commonwealth Games
2007 Osaka World Championships
2008 World Indoor Championships
2009 Grande Prêmio Rio
2009 World Championships in Athletics
2010 IAAF Continental Cup
2010 Commonwealth Games
2011 World Championships
2012 World Indoor Championships
2013 World Championships
2014 World Indoor Championships
2014 Commonwealth Games
Adams is trained by Jean-Pierre Egger.
3. Valerie Is 6-Foot-4
As mentioned above the Adams family are a big bunch — in numbers and height.
Valerie stands 6-foot-4 and, in 2012, weighed 260 pounds.
The Adams sisters average 6-feet in height and the brothers average height is 6-foot-9.
Valerie, now 31, was born in Rotorua, New Zealand. Her father, Sid, had 18 total children with five different women.
Valerie’s mother is Lilika Ngauamo, who is from Tonga.
4. Her Brother Is Steven Adams, Center for the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Adams kids are quite athletic. We’ve already been over Valerie’s huge success as a shot putter. But she isn’t the only sibling with athletic prowess.
The youngest of the 18 children is Steven Adams, who is the center for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
At 22, the third-year pro has become an everyday starter and has been a big factor in the 2016 NBA Playoffs. He’s averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds so far during the postseason.
Two other brothers played basketball professionally in New Zealand. Older brother Warren played years ago and Sid Jr. currently plays in the league.
5. Valerie Adams Recently Got Married
Adams married childhood friend Gabriel Prince in April 2016 in Hamilton, New Zealand.
They had been dating for two years and announced their engagement on Twitter earlier in the year.
Adams had previously been married to Bertrand Vili, but the couple divorced in 2010.
Vili is an athlete himself. He is a discuss thrower from New Caledonia.
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Valerie Adams, Steven’s Sister: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know