Season Best For Hooker in London GP

WAIS pole vaulter Steve Hooker has jumped a season best in finishing second at the London Grand Prix over the weekend.

Hooker lost out to Russian Evgeniy Lukyanenko on count back after both men cleared 5.97m, the first time two competitors had cleared the height in the same event.

The jump was also the second best height Hooker has ever achieved, whilst he also threw down a serious challenge to medal favourites Alexander Straub (Germany) and Brad Walker (USA) who finished equal third on 5.72m.

Hooker had predicted a sensational meet in London after last week’s Paris event. “It lived up to it didn’t it,” he said of the final competition before Beijing.

“I loved being out there and everything about it. I definitely feel that there is more in there for me and that I can jump higher.”

Hooker failed narrowly at a jump of 6.02m which would have gained him a win and a new personal best.

“I think I was a little bit too close on my take-off and it wasn’t quite as sweetly timed as is needed for a six metre jump,” said Hooker.

“Hopefully next time I have a jump at it is at the Olympics and it will go a little bit better.”

“I think it’s clear now that we are the guys with form going in,” said Hooker of the top three. “But it’s the Olympic Games. Anyone could step up so I’m not discounting anyone and I will just go out there and try to jump every bar that I am capable of jumping and I’ll see what happens with the result.”

WAIS heptathlete Kylie Wheeler rounded out the 4 discipline multi-event with a season’s best of 14.10m in the shot put and a run of 24.35 seconds in the 200m. She placed fifth overall, 406 points behind Britain’s Olympic heptathlon hope Kelly Sotherton.

The result is another positive step for Wheeler who is aiming to finish in the top eight at Beijing.