EJ Obiena fueled his preparation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics with a gold medal in the men’s pole vault at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix at Drake Stadium in California on Sunday (Philippine time).
The world No. 2 pole vaulter, who is backed by Smart Communications Inc., was the only competitor to clear 5.80 meters in his fourth tournament of the season.
He bested Norway’s Simen Guttormsen and hometown favorite KC Lightfoot, who were among the three athletes that finished at 5.70 meters.
Guttormsen and Lightfoot claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively, ahead of Christopher Nilsen on a countback.
This victory is Obiena’s third of the season, following wins in February at the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia with a 5.83-meter clearance and a season-best 5.93 meters at the ISTAF Indoor Meet in Germany.
Meanwhile, Lauren Hoffman finished fifth in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 55.84 seconds, just 0.82 seconds off the podium.
USA’s Anna Cockrell (53.75) and Cassandra Tate (55.02) took first and third place, respectively, with Jamaica’s Andrenette Knight (54.69) finishing second.
Hoffman, the national record holder in the event with a time of 55.72 seconds (pending ratification), aims to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics through world rankings or by meeting the qualification standard of 54.85 seconds.
The Filipino-American hurdler is currently ranked No. 32 in the event standings.
