Obiena displays readiness for Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino pole-vault ace EJ Obiena copped the gold medal in the Gothenburg Athletics Grand Prix in Sweden yesterday to show his readiness to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in July.

The 25-year-old Southeast Asian Games gold medalist needed just 5.70 meters to rule the meet ahead of 2016 Rio Olympic winner Thiago Braz of Brazil and Pal Haugen Lillefosse of Norway, who settled for silver and bronze at 5.65m and 5.60m, respectively.

American Cole Wash, the world No. 8, was fourth with 5.60m.

Obiena, who has zoomed to world No. 11, went for 5.80m but failed in three attempts.