Pole vault's golden boy Steve Hooker was talking up his chances and paying lip service to his injuries yesterday as he prepared to leave for Europe.

He will become one of athletics' most hunted men in his mission for gold at the world athletics championships in Berlin in August.

After a remarkable world indoor season, Australia's most famous aerialist is on the hit list for the leading pole vaulters where the bar has been raised since the Perth-based vaulter took Australia on a white-knuckle ride in claiming gold, and an Olympics record, in Beijing last year.

Hooker is unbeaten since Beijing and his name is being more closely linked to Sergey Bubka after the WAIS-sponsored athlete became the only man after the legendary Ukrainian to clear 6m at three successive meets during the recent northern hemisphere indoor season, including a leap of 6.06m in Boston.

While Hooker's mind appears indestructible, his body has shown signs of vulnerability with a niggling shoulder problem and, more significantly, a knee injury that has forced him to prepare for the August world championships at half rat power.

Hooker, recently named Indoor Athlete of the Year by respected publication Track and Field News, takes a mind-over-matter approach to his knee problem, claiming he will concentrate more on what he can do than reflect on his iliotibial band syndrome, a tightness down his thigh that puts pressure on the knee. But the injury concerned him enough to travel with AIS physiotherapist Shane Kelly to keep his body tuned up for the four lead-up events to Berlin.

"I did a really solid full pole vault session yesterday on a full approach," he said. "I know it's all there. In spite of that (injuries), I feel as though I'm in pretty good shape."

He'll need to be, as the contenders to his crown are lining up like tent boxers at the Royal Show.

On Sunday, 22-year-old Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie threw his beret into the ring for a medal in Berlin when he leapt 6.01m in Portugal.

Hooker thrives on challenges and is excited that Lavillenie is joining the likes of American Brad Walker and Russia's Yevgeny Lukyanenko as vaulters keen to dethrone the king.

RAY WILSON