Obiena claims first gold of the season in French tiff
MANILA, Philippines — EJ Obiena followed up his silver medal in his first meet of the season with a victory at the Perche En Or in Roubaix, France on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
Obiena cleared a season-best 5.82m to rule the competition of 12 pole vaulters in the meet.
The 27-year-old cleared the height in just one attempt after needing all three tries on 5.75m.
While Obiena already clinched the gold with 5.82m as second placer Yao Jie of China failed thrice on the same height, he raised the bar and attempted to clear 5.90m for another season best.
However, Obiena, whose career-best stands at 5.94m, could not clear the height and settled for 5.82m.
Obiena bested a handful of hometown bets, including third placer Ethan Cormont who tallied a season best of 5.65m in the contest.
Cormont could not clear 5.75m in three tries.
Meanwhile, Yao's clearance of 5.75m was a new personal best for the Chinese pole vaulter.
Obiena now has a silver and gold medal finish in his first two competitions in the 2023 indoor season.
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