For once, Steve Hooker’s mojo went missing when it mattered most. He arrived in Daegu for the world athletics championships as the proud owner of the Olympic, world, Commonwealth, world indoor and Continental Cup pole vault titles.
But Hooker will leave without the world crown after bombing out in qualifying without a single clearance to his name.
“There’s no excuses for what happened today,” said the Australian.
“Three run-throughs at 5.50 at a world championships is just not on.
“I would expect more from myself than that and it’s disappointing that it happened that way.”
A rushed buildup including just two warm-up meets following a long recovery from a knee injury finally caught up with the 29-year-old Hooker.
“I had no confidence in what I was doing out there, I felt kind of lost on the runway and it’s tough to take off and tough to get jumps done when you’re feeling that way,” he said.
“It was probably obvious to everyone, it looks different when you’re running in with aggression, with fire in your belly.
“I really wasn’t feeling it from the get-go today.
“My warm-up was a struggle and I shut that down early, just hoping the competition would get me up and it just wasn’t there.”
The Australian had not felt as uncertain on the runway since the corresponding event in Osaka four years ago – and even back then he was able to find a way to clear 5.75m and advance to the final.
“It’s the same kind of feeling of wanting to brush it off, wanting to forget that this competition ever happened and just move on,” he said.
“But at the same time I’m completely willing to take responsibility for it now.
“I wanted a better result, I know I’m representing my country I wanted to do better than I did and I felt like I could have done better than I did, but it didn’t happen.”
What made the result even more disappointing for Hooker was that five of the vaulters who advanced to Monday’s final did so with clearances at 5.50m.
Most of the other big names advanced safely including French duo Renaud Lavillenie and Romain Mesnil and German Malte Mohr.
But the other two medallists from the Beijing Olympics, Russian Evgeny Lukyanenko and Ukrainian Denys Yurchenko, bowed out alongside the Australian.
Hooker will now close his 2011 season down, allowing him to make an earlier start on his buildup to the London Olympics.
It looked like being a case of double disappointment for Australia on day one of the championships when defending champion Dani Samuels could only manage a modest effort of 60.05m in the opening group of qualifying in the women’s discus.
But to her considerable surprise, that proved enough for the Sydneysider to scrape into the 12-strong field for Sunday’s final in 11th place.
“I didn’t do it the easy way but it doesn’t matter now,” said the 23-year-old Samuels.
“Hopefully I will have a good three attempts tomorrow, and then another three.
“I have confidence in my training and preparation and I hope to bring a bit more timing and speed in the circle.”
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Betty Love, Did you enjoy the long jump (and the discus)?
Tom Callaghan
Guest
John mate, You wrote that Berlin 2009 boded well for Australian athletics a little while ago. i would respectfully suggest that the performances of Hooker,Watts, Tallent, Deakes, samuels suggest the opposite. I would add-with equal respect-that both New Zealand and South Africa sit above Australia in the Daegu medal table. Team GB is presently sixth in the table with power to add golds to its tally. Can Sally Pearson carry Australia's hopes for golds on her shoulders? Hmmmm.....
Betty B
Guest
Such a pity for Steve, but truth is he probably shoudn't have been there given his lack of preparation. I may be wrong, but didn't he have just one competition jump in preparing, post injury? He's probably our greatest champion, all sports, at present. I like his self-critical response - he'll be back. Good to see a Roar article on these championships John. Looking forward to the long jump, and hurdles.