Paul Burgess (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Paul Burgess is an Australian pole vaulter who become only the thirteenth pole vaulter in the world to reach 6 metres.
suggested that Burgess was suited to pole vault. By 1996, Burgess had won the gold medal at the 1996 Sydney World Junior Championships
, clearing a then-personal best of 5.35 metres. Later that year Burgess set the under 18 Australian record of 5.51 metres. In 1998, Burgess finished second at the 1998 Commonwealth Games
, third at the World Junior Championships and seventh at the World Cup
.
Burgess finished second at the East Asian Games
in 2001, clearing 5.50 metres. In 2002, Burgess finished fifth at the World Cup
, clearing 5.20 metres.
At his second Olympics
, in 2004, Burgess finished eleventh at 5.55 metres, although he had cleared 5.70 metres in the qualifying rounds.
It was, however, in 2005 that Burgess's form improved dramatically, clearing 5.91 metres, 5.95 metres and then 6.00 metres in domestic competition. These were, at the time, the three highest vaults on Australian soil.
Burgess ended the 2006 European season as the number two ranked pole vaulter (behind training partner Steven Hooker
), having won the World Athletics Final on 10 September 2006. Burgess won US$30,000 in the process.
He was named Western Australian Sports Star of the Year
in January 2006.
Biography
Burgess was originally a gymnast, winning a silver medal at the Australian National Gymnastics Championships as a thirteen year old. Having grown too tall to continue with gymnastics, testing at the Western Australian Institute of SportWestern Australian Institute of Sport
The Western Australian Institute of Sport is an elite sports institute set up in 1983 by the Government of Western Australia to support athletes in Western Australia...
suggested that Burgess was suited to pole vault. By 1996, Burgess had won the gold medal at the 1996 Sydney World Junior Championships
IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics
The IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics are the world championships for junior aged athletes athletes, organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations. It is held biennially since 1986.-Championships:-Men:-Women:-External links:* at...
, clearing a then-personal best of 5.35 metres. Later that year Burgess set the under 18 Australian record of 5.51 metres. In 1998, Burgess finished second at the 1998 Commonwealth Games
1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
, third at the World Junior Championships and seventh at the World Cup
IAAF World Cup in Athletics
The IAAF Continental Cup is an international athletics competition which comprises track and field events. It is the only world cup contested by teams representing entire continents, rather than just those of individual nations...
.
Burgess finished second at the East Asian Games
East Asian Games
The East Asian Games is a multi-sport event organised by the East Asian Games Association and held every four years since 1993 among athletes from East Asian countries and territories of the Olympic Council of Asia , as well as the Pacific island of Guam, which is a member of the Oceania National...
in 2001, clearing 5.50 metres. In 2002, Burgess finished fifth at the World Cup
IAAF World Cup in Athletics
The IAAF Continental Cup is an international athletics competition which comprises track and field events. It is the only world cup contested by teams representing entire continents, rather than just those of individual nations...
, clearing 5.20 metres.
At his second Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, in 2004, Burgess finished eleventh at 5.55 metres, although he had cleared 5.70 metres in the qualifying rounds.
It was, however, in 2005 that Burgess's form improved dramatically, clearing 5.91 metres, 5.95 metres and then 6.00 metres in domestic competition. These were, at the time, the three highest vaults on Australian soil.
Burgess ended the 2006 European season as the number two ranked pole vaulter (behind training partner Steven Hooker
Steven Hooker
Steven Leslie "Steve" Hooker OAM is an Australian pole vaulter and Olympic gold medalist. His personal best is 6.06 m, making him the second highest pole-vaulter in history behind only Sergey Bubka.-Career:...
), having won the World Athletics Final on 10 September 2006. Burgess won US$30,000 in the process.
He was named Western Australian Sports Star of the Year
Western Australian Sports Star of the Year
The Western Australian Sports Star of the Year, currently known as The West Australian ANZ Sports Star of the Year, is an annual award for Western Australian sportspeople. It has been running since 1956.-List of winners by year:...
in January 2006.