Hooker's New Leap

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http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 22,00.html

Pole vault star's new leap

Scott Gullan
June 19, 2007 12:00am
STEVE Hooker thought he was doing everything right last year, and when you soar to No. 1 in the world it's fair to suggest he was.

However Australia's pole vault star recently realised it wasn't the case, so he dramatically changed his life both on and off the track.

Hooker, who along with teammate and world No. 2 Paul Burgess leaves for Europe today, quit his job at a Perth property development firm and tinkered with his technique as he recovered from a knee injury during a hectic off-season.

"I always thought I was pretty much 100 per cent committed to my athletics," Hooker said. "I had these other things on the side, but I thought my athletics was my main focus and I was doing everything I could towards that.

"But when you have a full week to do absolutely everything that you need to for your preparation, you realise how much more you can do.

"I'd been, not necessarily letting myself down . . . but I have realised you can have pretty much every waking moment focused on doing the right thing for your body and your preparation.

"I would have liked to have continued work, but I felt like the next 18 months were a real opportunity.

"I think it's rare that you get to approach an Olympics or world championships when you are right at the top of your game.

"I still feel like I had a lot of things I could improve on, so I thought I'd be cheating myself if I didn't give that a go," he said.

Hooker, 24, has shortened his run-up, altered his grip and changed his pole swing as he chases Ukrainian legend Sergei Bubka's world record of 6.14m, which has stood for almost 13 years.

"I want to give myself every chance of jumping that world record," he said.

"I don't necessarily see it as something that is going to happen over the next six months, but I feel like I am just trying to do everything that I can do to make sure it does happen."

Burgess, who by contrast has had an uninterrupted preparation, hopes he will finally break his world championships hoodoo and make it to Osaka in August.

"I have never been to a world championships," Burgess said.

"Even in 1997 when I was 17 I got selected provided I made qualifying, but I pulled out and didn't attempt it. The same in 1999.

"In 2001 I didn't get selected then in 2003 I got selected but pulled out because I was not in great shape. In 2005 I got injured.

"It has just been one thing after another, which is why this year I really want to get there."