Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena nabbed the gold medal after clearing 5.77 meters at the International Springer-Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, in Cottbus, Germany.
Menno Vloon of the Netherlands also cleared the same height as Obiena on two attempts.
A jump-off was supposed to decide the winner between Obiena and Vloon but the officials decided to declare the two athletes as winners after both failed to clear 5.84 meters on the same number of attempts.
“First win of the season with a new season’s best of 5.77m. Brick by brick, we build. Thank you Springer Meeting Cottbus and the amazing crowd for making this evening one to remember,” Obiena said in an Instagram post.
Obiena and Vloon became the first co-champions in the tournament’s history.
American Sam Kendricks settled for bronze after clearing 5.77 meters on three attempts.
Obiena previously snagged bronze at the 6th ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf last weekend.
