NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES pole vaulter Steve Lewis is looking to build on a successful indoor season with the help of an Olympic champion. Following an encouraging 2009 indoor season, the 23-year-old British pole vault champion is hoping for inspiration from

NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES pole vaulter Steve Lewis is looking to build on a successful indoor season with the help of an Olympic champion.

Following an encouraging 2009 indoor season, the 23-year-old British pole vault champion is hoping for inspiration from friend and fellow vaulter, 2008 Olympic gold medallist Steve Hooker, having spent six weeks warm weather training in Australia in preparation for the forthcoming outdoor season.

Lewis told UK athletics: "Hopefully I'm coming back refreshed with a ton more motivation to go for more personal bests this summer.

"The facilities were great and had everything I needed."

The partnership of Hooker and Lewis, who are regulars on the international competition circuit and have known each other for three years, is significant for the Stafford-born athlete as it confirms his prominence among the international athletics community and highlights his commitment to the sport.

"Training with Steve is amazing, we push each other really hard every session. Also in the training group is Paul Burgess who has a personal best of 6m, so I'm learning a lot from both." added Lewis.

After a tough winter training schedule, Lewis began his 2009 domestic campaign with a win and new personal best of 5.75m at Vault Manchester early in the new year.

He followed that with first place in the Aviva UK Indoor Championships and European Trials in February, where he booked his ticket to the European indoors in Turin, Italy.

In Italy, Lewis came close to his personal best, jumping 5.71m in his first major senior international final, where he finished just out of medal contention in fourth place.

"It was great to get a good result in Turin, it was definitely what I needed moving towards the World Champs this year," he concluded.