| Applause for world champs |
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Herald Sun April 19, 2010 WORLD champions Steve Hooker and Dani Samuels were named Australia's athletes of the year in Perth last night. Hooker, 27, has had a remarkable year, winning the world outdoor and indoor pole vault titles. He will be best remembered for his win at the outdoor titles in Berlin in August, when he overcame a groin injury. Samuels, 21, became the world's youngest discus champion with a throw of 65.44m in the Berlin final. Hooker was also named Athletics International's international athlete of the year and Samuels was voted best female athlete of the domestic season. Rejuvenated 400m runner Ben Offereins was the best male athlete of the domestic season. The Steve Moneghetti emerging athlete award went to long jumper Mitchell Watt, who capped his year with bronze in Berlin. Alex Parnov won coach of the year for his work with Hooker. The awards for athletes with a disability went to Louise Ellery and Kurt Fearnley. |