Ernest Obiena of the Philippines competes in the Mondo Classic pole vault in the gala format at the IFU Arena in Uppsala on February 2, 2023. (Photo by Fredrik SANDBERG / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden GO OUT
Playing in an event named after a rival who used to be the sport’s proverbial bar, EJ Obiena on Thursday (Friday in Manila) continued her medal path, taking bronze. during Mondo Classic 2023 in Uppsala, Sweden.
The world’s No 3 diver overcame 5.91 meters on his third and final attempt to finish third as he maintained a prolific start to the season that started. with a bronze and a gold, however, this time it was up against a much more talented field. Armand Duplantis.
Duplantis crossed the 6.10 meters to run away with a gold medal in front of a home-loving crowd at IFU Arena, with KC Lightfoot of the United States winning a silver medal through the countdown on Obiena.
Obiena’s match matches his best of the season and the Philippine national indoor record he set last year in the Perce Elite also in France.
But more importantly, it shows the 27-year-old from Tondo, Manila, proving that Duplantis – whom he beat last year – remains on target.
Duplantis, who lost to Obiena in the Diamond League in August, tried to break his personal record by going 6.22m. He failed all three attempts.
Obiena was supposed to compete at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he was the favorite favorite, but logistical troubles related to his stakes canceled abandon that plan.
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