Obiena claims second place in France with new personal best, national record

MANILA, Philippines — Silver shines like gold for EJ Obiena as he logged a new personal best and national record en route to a second place finish at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, France on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

Obiena, who has been bucking controversy from his NSA Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, shattered his previous best in men's indoor pole vault with a 5.91m clearance in the competition.

After seemingly struggling to find his form this season, Obiena showcased his fine form and needed just one attempt to clear the new national record.

This shattered his previous mark at 5.86m which he set back in 2021.

It is also just 0.01m short of the Asian record in men's indoor pole vault, currently held by Kazhakstan's Igor Potapovich.

He cleared 5.92m in a Sweden meet back in 1998.

Obiena tried to up the ante with attempts at 6.01m but failed to clear the height in three attempts.

Still, his 5.91m finish was enough to take second with USA's Christopher Nielsen ruling the competition.

Nilsen cleared 6.01m in two attempts to clinch the first place finish.

But Nilsen stepped up his efforts with a successful attempt at 6.05m to log a new personal best and national record of his own.

Nilsen's clearance is also the best mark achieved worldwide in the season so far.

Competing the Top 3 in France is Brazil's Thiago Braz who also cleared 5.91m but needed all three attempts, thus his finishing behind Obiena.