In a spectacular display of Filipino prowess in the athletic sphere, pole vault titan Ernest John “EJ” Obiena once again proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. At the renowned Wanda Diamond League held in Monaco, Obiena clinched a silver finish, continuing his impressive medal run and reinforcing the Philippines’ standing in the world of pole vaulting.
Jumping to a remarkable height of 5.82 meters in his first attempt, Obiena secured a well-deserved spot on the Herculis Meeting podium on July 21, 2023, right behind America’s Chris Nilsen. Gold medalist Nilsen set a daunting benchmark of 5.92 meters, a mark that Obiena strived to surpass with attempts at 5.92 and 6.02 meters. Despite his valiant efforts, the gold remained just out of reach for Obiena who had dominated and shattered records at the Asian Athletics Championships just before the Monaco event.
Obiena, the first Filipino to qualify for the Paris Olympics, had recently claimed the World No. 2 ranking in Men’s Pole Vault, surpassing Nilsen just before the Herculis event in Monaco. This achievement made the competition between these two top-ranking athletes all the more riveting.
Significantly, Obiena’s sterling performance also surpassed Australian Kurtis Marschall, the latter settling for bronze after achieving the same height of 5.82 meters. But it was the newest member of the elite 6-Metre Club who stole the show due to fewer attempts, having cleared 5.62m in just two vaults before his silver-winning jump.
The real twist of the event, however, was the shocker finish of World No. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who found himself in a shared 4th place with American Sam Kendricks and Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehre out of the 12 competing pole vaulters. Duplantis’ first loss this year raises hopes that Obiena can again surpass the world champion at the upcoming World Championships. It can be recalled that Obiena bested Duplantis at the Brussels Diamond League event in 2022.
Here are the Results of the Herculis Meeting:
EJ Obiena adds another medal to his streak, finishing with a silver at the @diamond_league @meetingherculis in Monaco @ejobienapv https://t.co/8tCYcSVc8j pic.twitter.com/yjSmLJQ6M1
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) July 25, 2023
The Herculis meet served as a precursor to the World Championships scheduled for August 19-27, 2023, in Budapest. Obiena, alongside 2022 Oregon World Championship medalists Duplantis (gold), Nilsen (silver), and himself (bronze, a first-ever World medal for the Philippines), are all intent on putting forth an even more intense competition, leaving fans and spectators worldwide in anticipation.
As EJ Obiena continues his meteoric ascent in pole vaulting, he not only makes his country proud but also leaves an indelible mark in the annals of Filipino sports history. His journey is an inspiring testament to the boundless heights Filipinos can reach when they dare to dream and give their best. Stay tuned for more from this rising star, who is set to make waves at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest.
WATCH EJ Obiena’s sterling silver pole vault performance at the Monaco Diamond League event and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below!
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