FILIPINO POLE vault star and Thomasian athlete EJ Obiena kicked off his outdoor campaign with a silver-medal finish at the Eurowings Flight Circus in Düsseldorf, Germany on Sunday, June 14.
The two-time Olympian cleared 5.74 meters on his second attempt to secure second place behind American Chris Nilsen, who topped the field with a winning clearance of 5.83-meters.
Qatari vaulter Seifeldin Abdelsalam completed the podium after clearing 5.65 meters to take bronze.
“Battled through some swirling winds, but overall happy with how it all went,” Obiena shared in a social media post.
“What a surprise to have Filipinos screaming in the crowd. Maraming maraming salamat po sa pagsubaybay.” the 30-year-old Tondo native added.
After opting to pass on the opening heights, Obiena cleared 5.50 meters on his first attempt 5.65 meters before successfully overcoming 5.65 meters and 5.74 meters to remain in medal contention.
He then missed all three attempts at 5.83 meters and made one unsuccessful bid at 5.90 meters before ending his campaign.
The Düsseldorf meet marked Obiena’s first competition since finishing ninth at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland last March.
Obiena will next compete at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha, Qatar, on Friday, June 19, as he continues his outdoor campaign. F
