20.08.2009

Four Aussies to fire on day six in Berlin

Beijing Olympic champion Steve Hooker, who injured his right adductor 10 days ago, will warm up and make a decision on his world championships fate right before today’s qualifying round of the men’s pole vault.
 
Hooker has been drawn in group A, with the competition due to commence at 10:10 (18:10 AEST) and a jump of 5.75m will be required to gain automatic qualification.
 
Despite his recent injury set back Hooker has been in sensational form this year, securing nine victories from 11 starts against world-class opposition. His amazing winning streak, which ended in July, included three consecutive victories over six metres and an Australian record of 6.06m in Boston – the second-best jump of all time.
 
Australian long jump sensations Mitchell Watt and Fabrice Lapierre will also hit the runway in the qualifying rounds on Thursday evening. Although their first task will be just to make the final, the pair have elevated themselves into medal contention following outstanding seasons that have seen them reach No. 2 and No. 3 on the Australian all-time list with jumps of 8.43m and 8.35m respectively.
 
As witnessed this European season the pair are not afraid to mix it with the big guns, including reigning Olympic champion Irving Saladino and African record holder Godfrey Mokoena.
 
It will take a jump of 8.15m to automatically qualify, the boys hitting the runway at 18:10 (02:10 AEST).
 
After a disappointing 10,000m final, where he withdrew with four laps to go, Collis Birmingham will be back in action in the heats of the 5000m.
 
In an event traditionally dominated by the Africans, the 24-year-old will line up in heat one at 18:55 (02:55 AEST), the highly competitive line-up to include triple Olympic champion and recently crowned 10,000m world champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia. The first five in each of the two heats, plus the next five fastest will qualify for the final.
 
FLAME ATHLETES COMPETING IN BERLIN TODAY
Thursday August 20, 2009 – Day 6

Morning session
10:10 (18:10 AEST): Pole vault Qualification - Steve Hooker

Afternoon session
18:10 (02:10 AEST): Long jump Qualification - Fabrice Lapierre, Mitchell Watt
18:55 (02:55 AEST): 5000m Heats - Collis Birmingham

TELEVISION COVERAGE

The 12th IAAF world championships will be broadcast LIVE from Berlin on SBS ONE and SBS TWO, along with daily highlights programs. All times listed below are in AEST.
 
Friday August 21, 2009 (AEST)
 
SBS ONE

03:00–05:30: Live
07:15–07:30: Morning highlights

SBS TWO
 
03:00–05:30: Live
18:00–18:30: Evening highlights
19:30–21:00: Live 50km walk (M)