Hooker Heads Home Undefeated

Published On: 19 February 2009

   Steve Hooker was undefeated on tour

 

WAIS Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker has captured a sixth straight title and completed a perfect five from five events on his US and European tour. Hooker will now head home to prepare for the up-coming Australian summer season.

Hooker produced a jump of 5.86m to claim victory in Stockholm, Sweden at the GE Gala meet. Hooker rekindled memories of Beijing by claiming victory with his third and final jump after Russian Pavel Gerasimov and home-town favourite Alhaji Jeng both made clearances at 5.81m.

Hooker attempted a clearance at six metres but it proved too much as fatigue set in following a busy schedule and a recent bout of illness.

Hooker was particularly pleased to be heading home undefeated given he had suffered an injury interrupted preparation before flying out to compete.

“I’m really stocked to finish the trip with five wins,” Hooker told AAP.

“It is completely unexpected given the interrupted preparation before I left.”

The Beijing gold medallist is due to compete in Sydney at the Track Classic on February 28 before tackling the Melbourne World Athletic Tour Event and the Australian championships in Brisbane from March 19 – 21.

“I am looking forward to returning home, having a bit of a rest before getting up for Sydney,” Hooker said.

“I will have about 10 days rest so I expect to be a new man.”

Hooker is hoping that recuperation will allow him to attack the magical six metre mark again on home soil.

“It would be nice to jump six metres on Australian soil again so it will be great if the home crowd came out and cheered us on,” he said.