Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena has delivered his season’s best performance for a silver medal finish in the FBK Games, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting held in Hengelo, The Netherlands.
Obiena, who has already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, leaped a season-best 5.80 meters on his first attempt in the men’s pole vault event on June 6, 2021.
Obiena finished in second place behind world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden who won the gold by clearing 6.10 meters. Hometown bet Menno Vloon also cleared 5.80 meters but did so in multiple attempts to take the bronze medal.
“Improved the jump to 5.80m for a silver medal finish,” EJ Obiena wrote on his Facebook account.
The Philippines’ champion pole vaulter improved on his previous mark of 5.70 meters in the Folksam Athletics Grand Prix in Gothenburg, Sweden, his first event of the outdoor season.
Obiena delivered the first medal for the Philippines at the Monaco Diamond League pole vault competition in 2020 as he competed against Duplantis and other Olympic medalists.
EJ Obiena, the first Filipino to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, will be joined by fellow national athletes gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, rower Cris Nievarez, karateka Kurt Barbosa, and skater Margielyn Didal in the Summer Olympic Games scheduled in Tokyo this year.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for delivering his season’s best performance on his way to a silver medal in the FBK Games held in Hengelo, The Netherlands.
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