Fresh from his Asian record-setting jump in Bergen, EJ Obiena made a solid debut in the 2023 Wanda Diamond League with a third-place finish in the Bislett Games on Friday (Philippine time) in Oslo, Norway.
The world No. 3 pole vaulter ended with a best jump of 5.81 meters after missing twice at 5.91 and once at a potential new personal best of 6.01.
The competition featured a repeat of the top three finishers from the 2022 World Championships, with Armand Duplantis of Sweden taking the win, and the USA’s Christopher Nilsen finishing just ahead of Obiena.
Duplantis settled for 6.01 after missing a possible new World Leading mark of 6.12, while Nilsen cleared 5.91 on a single attempt to secure second place.
With this finish, Obiena kicks off his bid for a return to the Diamond League Final, earning six points. He missed out last year due to contracting COVID-19 in the middle of the season.
Although no medals are awarded in Diamond League legs, Obiena received $3,500 in prize money for his performance.
