Steve Hooker admits confidence battle ahead of New York meet

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/others ... 5878895537


Steve Hooker admits confidence battle ahead of New York meet
By GLEN FOREMAN From: The Sunday Times June 12, 2010 7:00PM

SEARCHING FOR FORM: Australian pole vaulter Steve Hooker, pictured here at Perth's hosting of the Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games Selection. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE once seemingly unassailable Steve Hooker this week conceded he was lacking confidence going into his third Diamond League appearance, beginning this morning (WA time) in New York.

The Olympic, world, world indoor and Commonwealth pole vault champion bombed out of his first two appearances on the inaugural global athletics circuit, clearing 5.50m to place sixth in Shanghai, China, before failing to clear a height in Oslo, Norway, earlier this month.

Today's meet offers Hooker a prime opportunity to recapture form.

He has jumped 6.01m in New York (indoor) previously and sett his personal best of 6.06m in the US early last year.

The WA Institute of Sport athlete, on a five-month overseas campaign that will take him up to his Commonwealth title defence at Delhi in October, said he faced a confidence battle as he entered the third of seven lucrative competitions.

"I know I've underperformed in two Diamond Leagues so far and I've got to find a way to get that confidence back," Hooker wrote in his IAAF diary.

"I think 2007 was the last time I no-heighted and I guess it was in similar circumstances.

"I no-heighted in two competitions in a row, Zurich and Berlin, and had to get it back.

"Physically I feel fine, Im not injured or anything like that. The body is OK.

"(Coach) Alex (Parnov) wasn't in Oslo, so I'm looking forward to having a chat with him this week and working out a strategy to get over this little slump.

"I'm looking forward to New York . . . I jumped 6.01m at Millrose last year, so there are good memories for me. That's always a good start."

Beijing 100m hurdles silver medallist Sally Pearson (nee McLellan) will make her 2010 international debut in New York in the strongest field of the program.

Five of the eight finalists from last year's world titles are expected to line up.