by Larry Eder
Steve Hooker, Olympic & World Championship gold medalist, photo by Photorun.net.
Australia’s Steve Hooker needed two attempts to take the gold, then put it out of this world with a 6.01m third attempt. To celebrate winning the only global title he had not won, Hooker made three game attempts at the 6.16m mark, with the third oh, so close! ( Congrats to Austalia’s Fabrice Lapierre, who won the gold in the long jump! For Day two, two golds for Australia, two golds for Ethiopia and four golds for the US (8 medals))!
Steve Hooker is a class all of his own. He waited until most of the riff raff was gone, and cleared 5.70 m on his first attempt. He was in the medal hunt.
With three guys clearing 5.65m and no more, and one, Malte Mohr of Germany clearing 5.70m, Steve Hooker cleared 5.80m on his first attempt. Mohr made three game attempts at 5.85, with no luch. Mohr took the silver. Germany took a second medal with Alexander Straub, who cleared 5.65m on his first attempt, as opposed to Derek Miles third attempt (Derek took fourth).
Steve Hooker came back, cleared 6.01m on his third attempt and his global indoor title, the one missing from his collection, was a reality!
How high can Steve Hooker go? RBR believes that Hooker could clear 6.20m outdoors this year, the key, Mr. Hooker, is to stay healthy and relaxed! Steve Hooker is the best vaulter, globally, of his generation!
