Filipino Olympian and pole vaulter EJ Obiena claimed third place in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League on early Thursday (Philippine time). Obiena cleared 5.82 meters in a single attempt, tying with Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen and Australia’s Kurtis Marschall.
All three athletes achieved the 5.82-meter mark on their first try and had no failed attempts in their previous clearances. Obiena started by clearing 5.62 meters, skipped the 5.72-meter bar, and then cleared 5.82 meters. However, he was unable to clear 5.92 meters after three attempts.
World No. 1 and Paris Olympics gold medalist Mondo Duplantis of Sweden won the competition, setting a new meet record of 6.15 meters, surpassing his previous record of 6.10 meters set two years ago. American Sam Kendricks, the Paris silver medalist, took second place with a height of 5.92 meters.
This event marked Obiena’s first competition since finishing fourth in the Paris Olympics. He is also scheduled to compete in the Silesia leg on August 25.