Hooker Qualifies for Men’s Pole Vault Final

WAIS pole vaulting star and reigning Olympic champion Steve Hooker has qualified for the men’s final of pole vault at the London Olympic Games.

After failing to clear a height in qualifying at the 2011 World Championships and three non-clearances since leaving Australia in May it was a huge relief for global athletics fans to see him sail over the bar on his first attempt at 5.50 metres.

Hooker then passed at 5.60 metres and then with the bar at 5.65m there were only 14 athletes left in qualifying so the athletes decided together that all athletes would progress to Friday night’s final on Day 14.

The 30-year-old from Perth was happy and relaxed with how qualifying panned out, only needing one jump to progress to the defence of his title.

“It wasn’t the best jump I’ve ever done in my life but it was enough,” Hooker said.

“It is tricky conditions out there that were changing every second and you’ve just got to make do with it what you can. It’s going to be hotter on Friday (final) and the conditions are likely to be different again so hopefully we’ll get some good conditions and some big heights.”

Hooker has been struggling with form and confidence over the past year but you wouldn’t have known that today.

“I’m happy with how it’s going. I’m happy with how today went and I’ve given myself the best chance of jumping well on Friday and that’s all that I can do,” Hooker said.

Is anything still possible now he is in the final?

“I’m not in the position I was in four years ago but I’ve got good momentum and I know I’ve got more in me than my season best (5.72m) and that’s a good position to be in,” he said.

“I’m just going to go out there and every height I jump once I get past my first few jumps is a bonus and I’m going to enjoy myself and soak up the atmosphere and hopefully put on a good show for everyone.”