Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena maintained his medal streak after bagging silver in the Monaco leg of the 2023 Wanda Diamond League Saturday morning (PH time).
He cleared 5.82 meters in a single jump but was not able to beat United States’ Christopher Nilsen who won the gold with his 5.92-meter jump.
Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who also cleared 5.82 meters with one try, settled for the bronze medal as Obiena won via countback, or with fewer misses throughout the competition.
The 27-year-old Filipino was unsuccessful in his two attempts to vault 5.92 meters.
He used his last try at the 6.02 meters to pressure Nilsen who was eyeing the same height, but both of them failed to clear the bar.
World no. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden also struggled in both 5.92 meters and 6.02 meters. Only clearing 5.72 meters, he finished 4th place.
Last July 18, Obiena unseated Nilsen in the world rankings and is now world no. 2, the Filipino’s career high.
