By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Inspired and confident, EJ Obiena launched the second phase of his campaign of the season with a bang, ruling the Stabhochsprung Meeting over several familiar rivals in Jockgrim, Germany Tuesday, Aug. 23 (Wednesday in Manila).
The national and Asian record holder bested Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen by clearing the bar at 5.81 meters to dominate the field.
Not contented with his earlier feat, the world No. 3 attempted 5.95m in the hope of resetting his national and Asian record.
He failed.
“Great start for the second part of the season,” Obiena wrote on his social media.
“We got the [gold medal] and the standard for next year’s World Champs in Hungary.”
Nilsen settled for the silver via countback after posting 5.71m on his second try, while Australian Kurist Marschall and hometown bet Bo Kanda Luta Baehre shared the bronze with the same height but cleared it on their third attempt.
Other finishers include United States’ Olen Tray Oates with 5.61m and Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen with 5.41m.
Up next for Obiena would be the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland from Aug. 25 to 26, before going back to Germany for the True Athletics Classics on Aug. 28 in Leverkusen.
He will also see action in the St. Wendel City Jump also in Germany on Aug. 31, the Memorial van Damme event in Brussels, Belgium on Sept. 2, the ISTAF 2022 in Berlin Germany on Sept. 4, and the Golden Fly in Schaan, Liechtenstein on Sept. 11.
