New Zealand's champion shot putter Valerie Vili has lost for the first time in two and a half years.

The Olympic and World Champion has relinquished her world indoor crown to her arch rival, Belarussian Nadzeya Ostapchuk, in the final in Doha.

Ostapchuk delivered with her final put, throwing 20.85 metres after Vili had taken the lead with her penultimate put of 20.49. The Belarussian last beat Vili in September 2007, which was the New Zealander's last loss in competition.

Vili says the rare defeat has made her hungrier.

"This is what sport is all about. You have to be challenged. She (Ostapchuk) was the last person to beat me and her coming back and beating me again makes the fire burn a lot more."

Vili expects her rivalry with Ostapchuk will take off in the run-in to the London Olympics in 2012.