Ernest Obiena places sixth in Stockholm Diamond League
After walking away victorious in his previous meet, Thomasian pole vaulter EJ Obiena saw an early exit where he finished sixth with a vault of 5.83 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League, early Friday morning (1:45 AM, Manila time).
Obiena kicked off the tilt with a flawless vault from 5.40 meters. American bet Christopher Nilsen, Brazilian athlete Thiago Braz, and Norwegian Pàl Lillefosse were able to clear the said height as well.
The 26-year-old vaulter in Obiena needed two attempts for a successful jump at the height of 5.63 meters. He followed this up with a seamless leap at 5.73 meters.
The Filipino Olympian missed out on a possible podium finish as he utilized all of his three attempts for his 5.82-meter vault but to no avail.
Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis, Nilsen, Lillefosse, Lavillenie, and Braz all finished ahead of the Filipino bet as they were able to clear the aforementioned height.
Duplantis steamrolled through the competition as he notched a new outdoor world record of 6.16 meters for a golden finish. Nilsen and Braz rounded up the podium as both cleared 5.93 meters, but Braz settled for bronze as he needed two attempts, compared to Nilsen’s one.
EJ Obiena now shifts his focus to the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA, with men’s pole vault qualifications set to begin on July 22 (July 23 Manila time).
