Disappointment in Hungary

MANILA, Philippines — World Championships bronze medalist EJ Obiena missed a podium finish following a disappointing performance in the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Szekesfehervar Monday night.

The 26-year-old Asian record-holder managed a measly 5.45 meters, which was good only for fourth place in the event topped by Olympic and world champion and world record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden with a new meet mark of 5.80m.

Grizzled French veteran Renaud Lavillenie snared the silver with a 5.70m while another French bet, Thibaut Collect, took the bronze with a 5.60m.

The forgettable effort was in stark contrast to his record-setting 5.94m in the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon last month that also clinched the country’s breakthrough podium finish in the meet.

The world No. 3 also copped a bronze in the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Chorzow, Poland a few days ago with a 5.73m.

And Obiena is expected to bounce back from this disappointment the same way he did in the past.

The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is determined to breach the six-meter plateau as well as snaring an Olympic medal in the 2024 Paris Games.