EJ Obiena bagged another success heading into the Tokyo Olympics next month. He won the gold in the 2021 True Athletes Classic in the Fritz-Jacobi-Anlage Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, Monday.
The 25-year-old ended with a mark of 5.80 meters. Still, he had to share the title with training partner and reigning Olympic champion Thiago Braz of Brazil. Nothing separated the two even on a countback.
Both Obiena and Braz easily took care of 5.50 and 5.65 meters both in just one attempt.
The Filipino attempted to set a new Philippine record with a successful 5.90-meter jump. But just like Braz, he was unable to clear the said height after the three attempts allowed.
Both eventually settled for 5.80 m.
Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehere bagged the bronze also with 5.80, but he cleared the said mark on a third and final try.
The win is Obiena’s second consecutive after taking the gold as well in the Jump and Fly tournament in Mossingen just two weeks ago in record fashion. The 2019 Southeast Asian Games champion smashed his own national record with a new best of 5.85 meters.
Obiena will take part in three more tournaments before heading to Tokyo.
