Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena finished last in the Meeting Hautes-de-France Pas-de-Calais held at the Arena Stade Couvert de Liévin on Thursday (Manila time), ending his streak of podium finishes since the indoor season began.
Obiena needed two tries to clear 5.64 meters and struggled at the 5.82 height.
He placed 10th, behind France’s Valentin Lavillenie and Belgium’s Ben Broeders, who also ended at 5.64 meters but both with a single attempt.
Obiena, the world No. 3, consecutively made it to the podium, securing three golds, two silvers, and one bronze in his six appearances prior to the France meet.
Armand Duplantis of Sweden, the world record-holder, won gold in the tourney with his 6.01-meter clearance, followed by Claudio Stecchi of Italy with 5.82 meters.
Australia’s Kurtis Marschall and USA’s Jacob Wooten shared the bronze as they hurdled 5.82 meters with two tries.
