Hooker Back in Form in the big Apple

Australian world, Olympic, world indoor and Commonwealth Games champion Steve Hooker has collected his first points on the IAAF Diamond League tour with a podium finish in Round 5 of the all-new series in New York (USA) overnight.

Hooker was joined by fellow Commonwealth Games nominees Sally Pearson (100m hurdles) and Eloise Wellings (5000m) in action in the Big Apple, the pair placing eighth and 11th in their respective events.

Opening his account at a height of 5.40m Hooker sailed over the bar on his first attempt before clearing heights of 5.60m and 5.70m on his second and third attempts respectively. After missing his first attempt at 5.75m Hooker passed on that height before requiring just one trip down the runway to clear 5.80m.

Passing at 5.85m Hooker was unable to clear 5.90m but had done enough to claim second place and his first two points in the Diamond Race.

World championships bronze medallist and Diamond Race leader Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) took out the event with a meet record clearance of 5.85m.

The 14-meet Diamond League tour now moves to Eugene (USA) for Round 6 of the series on Saturday, July 3.

– Athletics Australia