Beats Tokyo Olympic silver medalist US pole vaulter Chris Nilsen who is no. 2 in world ranking
(Eagle News) – Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena bagged the gold in the just concluded 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany after clearing 5.81 meters.
Obiena again became the Philippines’ pride in the international pole vaulting competition by finishing at the top and beating 10 other competitors, including 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the United States.
Nilsen placed second after clearing 5.71 meters, while Kurtis Marschall of Australia finished third after clearing 5.71 meters.
Because of this, Obiena met the standard of 5.81 for the World Championship in Hungary next year.
This was another historic victory for Obiena who finished third getting the bronze medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Eugene, Oregon last July.
In that competition, Olympic gold medalist Armand Duplantis of Sweden bagged the gold, while Nilsen bagged the silver medal after finishing second. Duplantis is currently the no. 1 in world ranking, followed by Nilsen.
-Obiena now top 3 in world ranking in pole vault-
Because of this win, Obiena became number 3 in pole vault world ranking, climbing three rungs from his previous no. 6 spot.
He will be competing again on August 25 at the Athletissima annual athletics meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
-Thankful for PATAFA reinstatement-
Recently, Obiena was reinstated by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) to be part of the national athletics team. He thanked PATAFA for the move but said that “the facts have spoken.”
“I am very thankful to PATAFA leadership and PSC for reinstating me back to the national team. Whilst I shall properly leave the past in the past; I believe the facts have spoken. The Commission on Audit has spoken. My fellow countrymen have spoken. And my team and I have proven our dedication with our performances on the world stage and a first-ever World Championships medal,” he said in a Facebook post on August 17.
“This was a long awaited and just decision; and one in the best interests of Philippine sport. It’s also a decision that is congruent with the values and principles of the Olympic Spirit. Now, I look forward as I work tirelessly to bring more glory to our beloved Philippines!” he added.
(Eagle News Service)
