Hurting Hooker through to world champs final

(Thursday, 21 August 2009)

Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker has advanced through to Saturday night’s final, but it wasn’t without its dramas.

The 27-year-old, who injured his right adductor at training last Monday, left it until this morning’s warm up before deciding whether or not he would compete at these world championships.

Entering the qualifying competition at 5.65m, Hooker sailed over the bar easily but appeared to be in a lot of pain as he landed in the pit, grabbing his upper right leg.

"I felt it strain a little bit down the runway. I don't know if anything happened once I got off the ground,” Hooker said straight after the competition, prior to being seen by the Australian team doctor.

“I felt a little tight last night, but this morning it pulled up OK, so hopefully it's similar situation, I wake up tomorrow and it feels better than today.”

The West Australian hit the warm up track at 7:30am, completing a series of run throughs and stretches, before giving the big thumbs up and making his way to the stadium an hour later.

Preferring not to aggravate the injury further, Hooker in consultation with his coach Alex Parnov, made a tactical decision to pass until 5.65m, in the hope that only that one jump would be required to qualify for the final.

Hooker sat and watched as the rest of the field completed their warm up jumps and their attempts at 5.25m, 5.40m and 5.55m.

The bar was raised to 5.65m. Lining up for his first jump in 11 days, Hooker made his opening and only required attempt at that height, sailing over easily.

Hooker said he will follow similar ‘one jump’ tactics for the final, should he pull up ok and make it to the start of the runway.

"If I do jump (in the final) it will be a similar strategy. Just enter the competition with my first jump and then see how we go."

“I'll start at a height that I think is possible to win a medal. If I can do that then I will be happy.“

The Australian Flame medical team will assess Hooker’s injury situation over the next three days, with an update expected tomorrow.

With thanks to Athletics Australia.