THOMASIAN OLYMPIAN EJ Obiena once again added another gold to his collection after ruling the ISTAFF Berlin, marking the star pole vaulter’s fourth title in the German capital and ninth title of the year.
The Tondo native cleared 5.82 meters to top the competition at the ISTAFF Berlin at Germany’s Olympiastadion on Monday, Aug. 31.
The victory marked Obiena’s fourth triumph in Berlin, adding to his previous wins in the indoor event last March, the outdoor competition three years ago and another indoor title the following year.
Just days before his Berlin triumph, Obiena also cleared 5.90m in Zurich, Switzerland to secure his place in the World Championships. He also registered a season-best 5.91m in Miedzyzdroje, Poland two weeks earlier.
In familiar territory, Obiena attempted 5.97m at the Berlin meet, a height that would have secured his spot in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11 to 13.
However, the Filipino pole vaulter failed to clear the bar in all three attempts.
Obiena is set to compete next in Brussels, Belgium, which could serve as one of his final competitions before his Asian Games Nagoya campaign. F
