EJ Obiena comes up empty-handed at World Indoor Championships

FILE–The Philippines’ EJ Obiena reacts after failing to clear the bar and arrives second-placed in the men’s pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 26, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

EJ Obiena missed out on a medal against the world’s finest pole vaulters at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Clearing 5.65 meters on his second try, Obiena raised the bar at 5.85m, but couldn’t conquer the height on two attempts.

The world’s No. 2 vaulter increased the elevation to 5.90, just a tad short of his season best of 5.93m at the Istaf Indoor last week in Berlin, without success either.

READ: EJ Obiena gets crack at Duplantis under Olympic atmosphere

FILE–The Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena reacts as he competes in the men’s pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 26, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)

Obiena finished ninth among 11 participants led by eventual gold medalist Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden.

Duplantis cleared 6.05 to claim another victory on the world stage with Sam Kendricks of the United States hurdling 5.90 for the silver medal.

The celebrated Swede attempted to erase his current world record of 6.23, but faltered thrice at 6.24.

Emmanouil Karalis of Greece seized the bronze medal with a 5.86 jump.