Hooker's Secret Changes
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:41 am
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaki ... 1o66i.html
Pole vault champ Hooker's secret changes
Steve Larkin
November 30, 2011 - 12:54PM
AAP
Olympic champion Steve Hooker says he's making secret, ground-breaking changes in a bid to return to the top of the pole vaulting world.
But the Australian, finally healthy again after an injury-cruelled 18 months, says expectations of defending his Olympic crown are "unwarranted".
Hooker knows his dodgy left knee could again cause problems at any moment.
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"In some ways, I'm going back to square one," Hooker said in Adelaide on Wednesday.
"I have got a good idea of what I want to do in terms of a technical model.
"But just in terms of having the confidence in my body that it's not going to break down, having the confidence in my take-off, in my run-up, and feeling my rhythm on the runway - it's completely back to square one.
"It's a tough process and not the ideal process to be doing at the start of an Olympic year.
"But I feel like, given I'm healthy, I have got plenty of time to do it."
The 29-year-old was working on "new technical stuff" in training.
"I think we are breaking new ground in what we're trying to do," he said.
"It is just a bit of a different focus in what I'll be thinking about during the jump than probably what I have been thinking of in the past."
Hooker refused to elaborate.
"It's a secret," he said.
"I can't tell you that, then everyone will know.
"If it's breaking new ground, why would I give it away?"
But Hooker said he would stick with the changes.
"After the last year and a half being injured, it has not been easy getting back into it," he said.
"It is just a lot of hard work at the moment, a lot of persistence, and trying and get things back in order.
"All I want to do right now is stay healthy and jump as much as as I can, just so I have every opportunity to get back in the best shape for London.
" ... But I have also got to be aware that this is an injury that (could) come back at any time."
Pole vault champ Hooker's secret changes
Steve Larkin
November 30, 2011 - 12:54PM
AAP
Olympic champion Steve Hooker says he's making secret, ground-breaking changes in a bid to return to the top of the pole vaulting world.
But the Australian, finally healthy again after an injury-cruelled 18 months, says expectations of defending his Olympic crown are "unwarranted".
Hooker knows his dodgy left knee could again cause problems at any moment.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"In some ways, I'm going back to square one," Hooker said in Adelaide on Wednesday.
"I have got a good idea of what I want to do in terms of a technical model.
"But just in terms of having the confidence in my body that it's not going to break down, having the confidence in my take-off, in my run-up, and feeling my rhythm on the runway - it's completely back to square one.
"It's a tough process and not the ideal process to be doing at the start of an Olympic year.
"But I feel like, given I'm healthy, I have got plenty of time to do it."
The 29-year-old was working on "new technical stuff" in training.
"I think we are breaking new ground in what we're trying to do," he said.
"It is just a bit of a different focus in what I'll be thinking about during the jump than probably what I have been thinking of in the past."
Hooker refused to elaborate.
"It's a secret," he said.
"I can't tell you that, then everyone will know.
"If it's breaking new ground, why would I give it away?"
But Hooker said he would stick with the changes.
"After the last year and a half being injured, it has not been easy getting back into it," he said.
"It is just a lot of hard work at the moment, a lot of persistence, and trying and get things back in order.
"All I want to do right now is stay healthy and jump as much as as I can, just so I have every opportunity to get back in the best shape for London.
" ... But I have also got to be aware that this is an injury that (could) come back at any time."