Track and Field Bible Lauds Hooker’s Indoor Campaign

Published On: 29 April 2009

Another highlight for Hooker

WAIS pole vault champion Steve Hooker has earned himself another accolade after the Track and Field News Magazine named the Beijing gold medallist the 2008/09 “Indoor Athlete of the Year”.

Hooker’s season was adjudged to have been better than European Indoor champions Ivan Ukhov (high jump) of Russia and Dwain Chambers (60m) of Great Britain.

Steve Hooker’s International campaign in the early part of 2009 saw him win five consecutive titles through the US and Europe against quality opposition, reinforcing his standing as the world’s best pole vaulter.

In his conquest, Hooker became only the second man after the legendary Sergei Bubka to win three consecutive meets with a best jump of over six metres.

During his run, Hooker also landed the second highest jump of all time when competing in Boston he cleared 6.06m to eclipse former WAIS vaulting great Dmitri Markov’s effort of 6.05m.

Hooker still remains undefeated in 2009, after victories in Sydney (5.95m) and Melbourne (5.80m) brought his winning streak to seven.

Currently training at his home base in Perth, with WAIS coach Alex Parnov, Hooker will head over to Europe in July for a string of competitions ahead of the IAAF world championships in Berlin from August 15 to 23.