For EJ Obiena, getting first Diamond League medal is sweeter than defeating Duplantis

At one point in his recent series of podium finishes, Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena defeated world no. 1 Armand Duplantis in the Brussels leg of the Diamond League.

Aside from besting Duplantis, the Diamond League top honors was Obiena's first win in the tournament. But for the Filipino Olympian, the win was sweeter compared to beating the reigning Olympic champion.

"It's nice. At the same time, it's an addition to my career. It's pride," Obiena said in a press conference on Monday.

"It is another win. It is not because 'Oh, I beat Mondo.' Maybe it's special but it doesn't mean that much if it's Mondo."

Obiena described Duplantis as one of the best of all time in their sport and defeating the world no. 1 is just part of any other competition.

"Mondo is Mondo, he's the best of all time. [He] arguably jumped more six meters than any other vaulter but at the same time, he is human as he said. And it is just another competition," Obiena said.

"I'm just happy I got my first win in the Diamond League and that makes it sweeter than beating Mondo."

Obiena is currently in the country to have some rest before he goes back to training for the indoor pole vault season which will start early 2023.

—MGP, GMA News