Thu, Sep 30 10 08:56 PM
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) Olympic pole-vault gold medallist Steven Hooker has said today that he is looking forward to a give his best at the upcoming Games and also have two great weeks at the mega-event. "I am looking forward to a good show here," Hooker said after arriving at the Games Village. "I am expecting a stiff competition from the English and Canadian pole-vaulters." Steven ''Steve'' Hooker, a 28-year-old from Melbourne, who recorded a personal best of 6.06 metres that made him second only to the legendary Sergey Bubka. Asked if Bubka''s retirement had added spark to the international competitions, Hooker said, "Things have definitely opened up since Bubka retired. Now there are more pole-vaulters keen on getting good results, something that wasn''t always possible when Bubka was around." Hooker, with his display at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, became the first Australian athlete to win a pole-vault gold and the first Australian athlete to win an Olympic gold in a field event in 60 years. In Beijing, Hooker came out winner with a jump of 5.90m, following which he broke the Olympic record, with a jump of 5.96m. Hooker''s personal best is 6.06m. Asked about his impressions of Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, Hooker said, "I think the arrangements here are quite good and I am really looking forward to two great weeks in Delhi." Hooker also won gold at the 2009 World Athletics Championships, in Berlin, where he overcame a groin injury to clear 5.90m. The IAAF World Indoor Championships this year saw him emerge champion with a championship record of 6.01m. Steve Hooker''s sporting credentials are remarkable. His mother Erica was a participant in the 1972 Munich Olympics and also a silver medallist in long jump at 1978 Commonwealth Games. Steve''s father Bill represented Australia in the 800m and 4 x 400m at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Steve is also accomplished amateur sprinter, with a personal best of 10.82 in 100 metres.
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