Obiena ends up 5th in Silesia Diamond League

MANILA, Philippines -- In his second competition since the Paris Olympics, Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena finished fifth in the Silesia Diamond League in Poland Sunday night (Manila time).

Obiena was among the five pole vaulters remaining at 5.92 meters.

However, the 28-year-old was the only one who could not clear the distance. After his second unsuccessful attempt, he skipped the distance.

In his only attempt at 6m, he faulted, ending his stint in Poland.

Paris Olympic gold medalist Armand Duplantis is the only one standing so far. Paris silver medalist Sam Kendricks failed in all three of his attempts at 6.08m. 

Duplantis skipped the height and is now attempting a world record anew at 6.26m. 

Paris bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis was able to clear 6m, his first time hurdling the height. He, however, had two unsuccessful attempts prior, and retired ahead of his first attempt at 6.08m.

American KC Lightfoot was unable to go over 6m in three attempts.

Aside from the five, USA’s Christopher Nilsen, Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, Poland’s Piotr Lisek and Robert Sobera, and France’s Thibaut Collet and Renaud Lavillenie also competed. 

Obiena had a joint-third finish in the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday (Manila time).