Hooker makes it three from three over six metres
(Saturday, 14 February 2009)
Beijing Olympic pole vault gold medalist Steve Hooker has cleared the magical six metre mark for the third time in as many meets in 2009, winning the Paris Indoors this morning.
Continuing to chase the feats of world record holder Sergey Bubka, Hooker also took another three attempts at the world record height of 6.16m.
Easily taking out the competition at 5.87m, it took the 26-year-old three attempts to clear six metres before going on to the prized 6.16m bar.
Romain Mesnil from France (5.72m) and Derek Miles of USA (5.72m) rounded out the minor placings.
Hooker, who leapt 6.06m in Boston to become the second highest vaulter in history, joins Bubka as the only men to have jumped six metres on three consecutive occasions - a feat Bubka achieved in both 1991 & 1993 (see fact box below).
Hooker still has some way to go to match the achievement of the Ukrainian maestro, who in 1991 produced five consecutive competitions at over six metres, four of them setting new world records.
Battling tiredness from a heavy program, Hooker was elated with his performance.
“I felt pretty flat, and didn’t think I was jumping that well so to clear six metres again is really pleasing.
“Bubka is the only other man to have cleared six metres three times in a row so to join him is really exciting.”
The competition also added valuable experience to Hooker’s belt.
“Really, it’s three more times I have had a chance to look at the world record height.
“It doesn’t intimidate me anymore – it is just another bar.
“Now I just have to hope the body holds up for Donetsk in a couple of days.”
Hooker will travel to Donetsk tomorrow to compete at Sergey Bubka’s own Pole Vault Stars meet on Sunday. The venue is home to two of Bubka’s own world record breaking performances, including his historic 6.15m clearance in 1993.
Hooker then heads to Stockholm for one more event before returning to Australia for the Sydney Track Classic (Saturday 28 February), World Athletics Tour Melbourne (Thursday 5 March) and Australian Championships in Brisbane (19-21 March).
Pole vaulter’s with three consecutive six metre jumps:
Steve Hooker - 2009
6.01m (indoor) – New York, 30/01/09
6.06m (indoor) – Boston, 07/02/09
6.00m (indoor) – Paris, 13/02/09
Sergey Bubka – 1993
6.01m (indoor) – Glenogal, 07/02/93
6.14m (indoor) WR – Leivin, 13/02/93
6.15m (indoor) WR – Donetsk, 21/02/93
Sergey Bubka - 1991
6.00m (indoor) – Seville, 09/03/91
6.10m (indoor) WR – Sebastian, 15/03/91
6.11m (indoor) WR – Donetsk, 19/03/91
6.12m (indoor) WR – Grenoble, 23/03/91
6.07m (outdoor) WR – Shizuoka, 06/05/91
1991 was Bubka’s standout year, clearing six metres on 9 occasions and setting eight world records indoors and out.
With thanks to Athletics Australia.
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