Ernest John Obiena moved closer to qualifying for the 2023 Wanda Diamond League Final with a second-place finish in the Herculis Meeting International d’Athletisme on Saturday morning (Philippine time) at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.
Fresh from his dominant exploits in the Asian Championships, Obiena once again cleared 5.82 meters to finish behind United States’ Christopher Nilsen, who had the best jump of the day at 5.92.
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis and Obiena found themselves in the same situation after both missed the 5.92 mark twice and subsequently decided to skip the last attempt at that height. Neither the world no. 1 nor the world no. 2 pole vaulters, along with Nilsen, were able to clear 6.02 meters.
Marshall Kurtis of Australia eventually secured third place with a best mark of 5.82, edging out the struggling Duplantis.
Despite the result, Duplantis still leads the qualification standings with 29 points, while Nilsen leapfrogged Obiena with 21 points compared to the latter’s 20.
