http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-sixth- ... -w80r.htmlA sixth place makes for an unhappy Hooker
DAN SILKSTONE
May 25, 2010
Ads by Google
Pole Vault Gear and Info
Poles, accessories, videos, books, training information, camps & more!
EverythingTrackandField.com
AFTER dominating the world of pole vault for the past two years Australia's Steve Hooker has experienced a rare loss in his first major outdoor competition of the year.
Hooker, the only man or woman in world athletics to simultaneously hold the world, Olympic and indoor world titles in his event, bombed out of the pole vault at the Diamond League event in Shanghai, failing to clear 5.70 metres. Germany's Malte Mohr claimed victory by clearing that same mark and took a points lead in the new and lucrative year-long title race that spearheads the sport's effort to ensure more regular head-to-head meetings between the top athletes.
In an uncharacteristic off day, Hooker finished in a distant sixth position. He was not carrying an injury and had been in solid form coming into the event, consistently clearing greater heights against weaker opposition during the Australian season.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The Australian, only beginning a five-month long international program that will take him through to October's Commonwealth Games, put his first defeat this year and only his second major-meet loss since Beijing, down to a bad day.
''That's just pole vault,'' he said afterwards. ''It can happen.''