20 September 2011 – Watching the World Championships final wasn’t as painful as you might imagine for Steve Hooker, but it did fire him up for next year, the Olympic champion writes in his latest IAAF Online Diary.
“Watching the final of my event go on without me in Daegu was a funny experience, because I knew I wasn’t ready to be out there competing.
“It wasn’t as upsetting as you might think, because I knew that I wasn’t ready. Especially with the quality of the guys in the final – five at 5.85 – I don’t think I was in that shape. So it was nice being able to watch it, watch some guys who have been jumping well all year and some up-and-comers as well.
“It wasn’t too painful to watch, but what it did make me feel was I wanted to be out there with them. I’m ready to go back to Australia, get into my training and start working on my jumps as much as I can.
“The focus for me now is going to be competing well in the Australian season, putting up some good heights, getting my rhythm back. After that it’s that final preparation for the final run-in to London.
“I always try to jump high in Australian season. Except for last year, when I was injured, I have. I jumped six meters during the Australian season in 2010 (in Doha), 5.95, 5.90, so I normally do jump high. I’ll go back with the aim of jumping high in the domestic season rather than having to do it all in Europe.
“I’m writing this from in Brussels, during the Samsung Diamond League final. Originally, I planned to compete here, but after the way things turned out in Daegu, I had to re-assess that plan. I decided to put an early end to the season, have my break earlier and get back to training earlier. I didn’t think there was much to gain by extending the season.
