ERNEST John Obiena needed just four tries to finish third with a jump of 5.73 meters yesterday (Sunday evening in Europe) in the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, a Wanda Diamond League stop, at the Stadion Slaski in Chorzow, Poland.
Obiena, who set a new Asian record of 5.94 meters when he clinched the bronze medal in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last July, easily cleared 5.53 meters, skipped the 5.63 mark, then settled for third with his 5.73-meter jump on the countback after failing to clear 5.83 meters.
United States-born Sondre Guttormsen of Norway took the silver, clearing 5.73 meters on his first attempt, while reigning Swedish world and Olympic champion Armand Duplantis was in a class of his own anew, in ruling the event in six meters flat.
On top of earning Wanda League ranking points, Obiena also pocketed $3,500 (roughly P194.428) for his latest effort.
Among the entries the Pinoy pole vaulter beat in the meet named after the late Polish great Kamila Skolimowska, a gold medalist in the women’s hammer throw in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, was Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Chris Nielsen, who was finished sixth with a jump of 5.53 meters.
Obiena’s training partner, 2016 Rio Olympic men’s pole vault champion Tiago Braz, had an off day and failed to clear 5.53 meters.
