Successfully clearing 5.91 meters in his first attempt, Obiena surpassed his personal as well as the Philippine record of 5.87 meters set at the Irena Szewinska Memorial Cup in Poland in June.
AFTER failing to secure a medal in the Tokyo Olympics, EJ Obiena did not miss a beat and broke the Philippine pole vault record.
Obiena displayed an A-game that merited silver medal finish at the Meeting De Paris, part of the 10th Wanda Diamond League in Paris, France.
Successfully clearing 5.91 meters in his first attempt, Obiena surpassed his personal record as well as the Philippine record of 5.87 meters set at the Irena Szewinska Memorial Cup in Poland in June.
EJ Obiena updated fans on his social media account and thanked them for their support in helping him scale the new height.
“A 2nd place finish at the Paris 2021 Diamond League, and a new national record and personal best of 5.91m,” EJ Obiena wrote on his Facebook account.
“Thank you God! And thank you to those who keep on supporting and believing despite the ups and downs…getting there.” he added.
It was Sweden’s 21-year-old pole vaulter who came to the top of challenge in the Wanda Diamond League.
Fresh from his gold medal win in the Tokyo Olympics, Armand Mondo Duplantis, proved yet again his dominance, clearing 6.01 meters at his first attempt and pointed a wagging finger of gratitude back down the runway at his coach.
Duplantis and Olympic silver medalist Christopher Nilsen failed their first try at 5.91 meters and had two attempts left, but they decided to pass on the next attempt.
Duplantis vaulted 5.96 meters and 6.01meters at the first time of asking. Nilsen was not able to clear his final two attempts at 5.96 meters and had to settle with third place with 5.81meters.
There is no way but up for the Filipino Olympian as he has been progressing positively after finishing at the 11th spot in the Tokyo games.
Just last week, he finished 5th in the Lausanne leg of the Wanda Diamond League at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Switzerland.
Obiena will rejoin his fellow Olympians in the Brussels leg of the Diamond League set on September 3.
Tags: #polevaulting, #EJObiena, #IrenaSzewinskaCup