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Hooker, Lapierre win gold

Hooker, Lapierre win gold

03/13/2010 10:36:35 PM

World and Olympic champion Steve Hooker and team-mate Fabrice Lapierre have both taken out world indoor titles on a golden night for Australia at the world indoor championships in Doha on Saturday night.

Pole-vaulter Hooker took victory with a jump of 6.01m and now owns all four major crowns on offer having already won the 2009 world championships (5.90m), 2008 Olympic (5.96m) and 2006 Commonwealth Games (5.80m) titles.

With the gold wrapped up after German Malte Mohr failed to clear 5.85, Hooker set the championship record of 6.01m on his third and final attempt before raising the bar to a world record height of 6.16m.

He missed all three attempts, but nothing would damper his mood.

"I feel fantastic, I'm very, very happy," he said.

"I was very happy with my jump at 6.01m, it felt like I had done everything right. It was exciting to break the championship record and it felt as good as I have ever jumped in my career."

In the long jump it, Lapierre started poorly with two fouls before posting three consecutive leaps beyond 8.00m

Following jumps of 8.01m and 8.09m in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively, Lapierre nailed the winning leap of 8.17m on his fifth and final jump.

"My jump was not that great but it was good enough for gold," Lapierre said.

"If I needed to I think I could have chased today, I was in the lead and I am not used to being in the lead so I just held on for victory."

"It means a lot to win here. It builds my confidence and now I can look forward to the summer season."

"Two gold medals for Australia today; we are improving as a team."

On a great night for the Aussies, Mitchell Watt claimed bronze in the event with a leap of 8.05m.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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