STEVE LEWIS vowed to take a leaf out of gold medallist Steven Hooker s book after jetting off from the World Indoor Championships for a one-on-one masterclass in the Olympic champion s back yard. The Newham and Essex Beagles pole vaulter, who overcame cha

STEVE LEWIS vowed to take a leaf out of gold medallist Steven Hooker's book after jetting off from the World Indoor Championships for a one-on-one masterclass in the Olympic champion's back yard.

The Newham and Essex Beagles pole vaulter, who overcame chaotic scenes in Doha to qualify for the pole vault final, continued his international rise by tieing for sixth in the medal showdown with a leap of 5.45 metres.

Hooker, who added World Championship gold to his medal collection last year, smashed the competition record by leaping 6.01m to top the podium at the Aspire Dome.

And after striking up a friendship with the Australian when he lodged at his family home during the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Lewis vowed to soak up every moment of his trip to Perth.

"I am so very fortunate to have Steve as a friend because he is just an incredible athlete," said 23-year-old Lewis.

"I'm flying straight from Doha to go and stay with him and I'm really looking forward to working with him and picking up some more tips.

"We are like brothers on the circuit and it is great to get along so well with him and we have done ever since 2006.

"Without a doubt the world record is going to go this year because he is in phenomenal form.

"If he can drag me up 20 or 30 centimetres with him then I'll be absolutely delighted.

"I want to be coming back to competitions like this and challenging for medals because I see him do it every time and I am hungry to do the same."

Beagles team-mate Chris Tomlinson was left dreaming of what might have been after he failed to make the long jump final.

The 28-year-old laid the foundations for a strong performance with an opening leap of 7.62m only to see a massive second leap given the red flag.

Tomlinson never recovered from the blow and could only register 7.75m with his third and final attempt to leave him 25 centimetres short of the qualifying mark.

"The second one was definitely my biggest jump by quite a way and if it had

counted then I would easily have been in the final," said Tomlinson.

"But I'm old enough to know that if you get a red flag then it doesn't matter

how long the jump is because it doesn't count.

"I think I was about one centimetre over the board and that has ultimately cost me.

"I've been working on a number of things in training, but unfortunately I wasn't able to call on them and hopefully, in the future, that will change.

"I just have to keep working at what I've got and hoping that sooner or later it will come together for me."

Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999.

Visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information.