FILE–EJ Obiena of Team Philippines reacts after competing in the Men’s Pole Vault Final on day ten of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 24, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — EJ Obiena bagged a gold medal in the 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-meeting after clearing 5.81 meters in Jockgrim, Germany.
The Filipino pole vaulter kicked off his seven-meet stretch on a high note after beating 10 other competitors, including second placer Christopher Nilsen of the United States, who cleared with 5.71, and Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who earned the third spot with 5.71.
Obiena reached the standard to qualify for Hungary’s 2023 World Athletics Championship.
“Great start for the second part of the season. We got the (gold medal) and the got the standard for next year’s World Champs in Hungary,” said Obiena in a Facebook post.
“Thank you, Jockgrim, for your loud (claps) and (hearts).”
Obiena is set to compete in his second tournament, Athletissima in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday (Manila time).
The 26-year-old pole vaulter made history last month by winning bronze in the 2022 World Athletics Championship and was recently reinstated to the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association national team.