EJ Obiena rules back-to-back events in Poland

EJ Obiena takes back-to-back podium finishes for the first time this outdoor season as he reigns at the Memorial Czeslawa Cybulskiego in Poland with a month to go before the Paris Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – EJ Obiena is picking up steam with a month to go before the Paris Olympics.

A second straight competition in Poland earned Obiena another gold medal as the Filipino pole vault star reigned supreme on Sunday, June 23, at the Memorial Czeslawa Cybulskiego in Poznan.

Obiena led the 10-man field with a clearance of 5.87 meters, maintaining the momentum he gained after taking charge of the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Bydgoszcz three days ago.

Home bet Piotr Lisek settled for silver with 5.82m as he stumbled at 5.87m – a height Obiena cleared in just one attempt.

It was a perfect start for Obiena as he needed just one attempt to clear the 5.62m, 5.77m and 5.87m before making three consecutive errors at 6.01m in an attempt to clear his Asian record of 6.00 m, which he set. same month last year.

Hussain Al-Hizam of Saudi Arabia took bronze with 5.62 meters, leaving China’s Huang Bokai for the final podium spot via countback.

With the help of his new poles, Obiena rediscovered his groove as he claimed back-to-back podium finishes for the first time this outdoor season.

His jump of 5.97 meters in Bydgoszcz is his highest in almost a year since he equaled his Asian record when he captured a historic silver at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August.

In total, Obiena has won three golds in the outdoor season, which he started by winning the Los Angeles Grand Prix in the United States in May.

The pride of Tondo will compete for the last time in the Meeting de Paris – a Diamond League competition – in France on July 7 before completing his Olympic preparations. – Rappler.com