EJ Obiena beats top pole vaulters to rule World Pole Vault Challenge in the Philippines

EJ Obiena defended his home turf as he reigned supreme in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

The Filipino pole vault ace and French bet Thibaut Collet both soared past 5.80 meters but Obiena captured the gold medal due to countback after clearing the said height in just two attempts.

Obiena, who decided to skip the opening height of 5.30 meters, was off to a hot start after easily clearing 5.45 and 5.60 meters. He then skipped 5.70 meters before it took him two tries to register 5.80 meters. 

He, however, struggled to get past 5.85 meters after committing two faults, forcing him to move on to the next height at 5.90 meters, which he failed as well. 

The 26-year-old Collet, who took three jumps to clear 5.80 meters, skipped the 5.85m height and went straight to 5.90 meters, but had three faults to bow out and settle for the silver medal. 

Piotr Lisek of Poland, meanwhile, snatched the bronze medal with a 5.60 meter clearance. 

The event also featured other top pole vaulters in the world like world no. 5 Ersu Sasma of Turkey, Menno Vloon of the Netherlands, and Oleg Zernikel of Germany as well as another Pinoy bet Hokett Delos Santos. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News