EJ Obiena places joint-third in first meet after Paris Olympics
Philippines’ EJ Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault city event part of the “Athletissima” Diamond League athletics meeting in Lausanne on August 21, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — EJ Obiena secured a joint third place in the Lausanne Diamond League in his first competition weeks after the Paris Olympics 2024.
Obiena shared third place with Sondre Guttormsen of Norway and Kurtis Marschall of Australia after clearing 5.82 meters.
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The world No. 3 Filipino pole vaulter attempted to jump over 5.92 but failed in all three attempts.
The 28-year-old Obiena, who narrowly missed a podium finish in the Paris Olympics, had a brief homecoming in Manila before returning to practice in Italy to continue his season.
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As expected, Olympic gold medalist Mondo Duplantis ruled the tournament with a new meet record of 6.15m weeks after setting a new world record of 6.25 in Paris.
Olympic runner-up Sam Kendricks of the USA finished with a silver medal after clearing 5.92m, as Paris bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece ended up in sixth place.
