EJ Obiena takes another step forward in his second consecutive appearance at the World Athletics Championships.
The pole vaulter bound for the Paris Olympics secured the silver medal in the men’s pole vault event after successfully clearing 6.00 meters on Sunday morning (Philippine time) at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
With this jump, Obiena matched his existing Asian record that he had set earlier this year in Bergen, Norway. He triumphed in a closely contested competition that witnessed five athletes clearing 5.90 meters for the first time in World Championships history.
Hailing from Tondo, the 27-year-old initially faced a slow start, requiring two attempts at both 5.75 and 5.85 meters. However, he regained his rhythm at 5.90 and 5.95 meters, ultimately securing a position on the medal podium.
Armand Duplantis was the sole vaulter to surpass 6.00 meters, ultimately claiming his second consecutive World title by clearing 6.05 and 6.10 meters on his first attempts.
The bronze medal was shared between Christopher Nilsen of the United States and Kurtis Marschall of Australia, both having successfully cleared 5.95 meters. Despite a perfect beginning, France’s Thibaut Collet missed 6.00 meters three times, preventing him from securing a podium spot.
Obiena expressed his intention to add the Asian Games gold to his list of achievements, as he prepares to compete next month in Guangzhou, China.
