Reims - Lavillenie, Mesnil 5.82, Hooker 5.77

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... ection=all

Hooker falls short of perfect year

Posted July 15, 2009 19:50:00
Steve Hooker of Australia clears 5.80 metres to win the men's pole vault

Steve Hooker has been defeated in the pole vault for the first time in nearly a year (file photo). (Getty Images: Mark Dadswell )

Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker has been beaten in competition for the first time in almost 12 months.

The 26-year-old finished third in Reims, France, with a best clearance of 5.77 metres.

Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie who the event on a countback from compatriot Romain Mesnil at 5.82 metres.

Hooker, who has been recovering from knee and shoulder injuries for the majority of the year, made clearances at 5.45m, 5.60m and 5.77m but was unable to clear 5.87m.

The third place in Reims is the first competition Hooker has not won since going down to Russia's Yevgeniy Lukyanenko at the London Grand Prix on July 26 last year, prior to his spectacular victory in Beijing.

"I lost, but I feel great," Hooker said.

"My body feels really good and I am running faster, which may have caused some minor problems in this competition, but will only help in competitions to come.

"I am looking forward to getting in some good training over the coming weeks and coming out flying for the London meet [on July 25]."