Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 3)— Filipino pole vault sensation EJ Obiena clinched his first-ever victory at the Wanda Diamond League held in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday (Philippine time).
Obiena cleared 5.91 meters in his third attempt — besting World No. 1 and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who missed the same mark.
“Made a core memory today. First [Diamond League] win,” Obiena wrote on his social media page as he shared the good news.
Duplantis, who set a new record of 6.21 meters in this year’s World Championships, settled for second place in the contest with 5.81 meters.
USA’s Christopher Nilsen meanwhile came in third after logging 5.71 meters.
The win adds to Obiena’s list of accomplishments in the past weeks, which includes a string of podium finishes in Germany and Switzerland.
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