Obiena wins another silver in virtual meet

FILE – The Philippines’ EJ Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault final of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Athletics Stadium in New Clark City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Olympian Ej Obiena sustained his form and seized another silver medal in a virtual competition Monday.

Obiena reached a height of 5.60 meters to place second behind Thiago Braz of Brazil.

Braz, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and Olympic record holder, cleared 5.70 meters to rule the “Who is the Finest Pole Vaulter in the World” event.

“It has been a fruitful two weeks with 3 medals, but the gold remain elusive, hope to get them in the coming competitions,” Obiena, who has already qualified for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, wrote on Facebook. 

“Thank you to all 100 countries who tuned in. Philippines, I hope I made you proud.”

The 24-year-old Obiena made the podium for the third time in as many events this month.

He is coming off a bronze-medal finish three days ago in the Monaco Diamond League where he delivered a season-best 5.70 meters.

Also earlier this month, Obiena also copped the silver in the 13th Triveneto International Meeting in Trieste, Italy with a jump of 5.45 meters.