By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
EJ Obiena’s gold winning-streak is over, but it was still a good one.
On fire the last two weeks, Obiena settled for a silver in the ISTAF 2022 in Berlin, Germany Sunday, Sept. 4 (Monday in Manila).
The world No. 3 pole vaulter cleared 5.81 meters on his second attempt to finish second behind fellow Tokyo Olympian Meno Vloon of the Netherlands, who registered 5.88m.
Obiena skipped 5.88m and targeted to clear 5.95m in his desire to erase his own national and Asian record.
He failed in all three attempts.
Despite the runner-up honors, Obiena still posted his sixth straight podium finish in two weeks.
“A few more competitions before we call it a season. Let’s keep pushing and keep fighting,” Obiena wrote on his social media.
He was coming off a stunning victory at the Memorial Van Damme Wanda Diamond League meet two days back where he upset world No. 1 and current world record holder Mondo Duplantis for the gold medal.
His other two previous triumphs were the St. Wendel City Jump in Sankt Wendel and the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, both in Germany.
He has never missed a podium finish since starting his second season in the European circuit, where he has been consistently posting 5.80m and above marks.
Obiena takes a weeklong break before he sees action in the Golden Fly event in Schaan, Liechtenstein on Sept. 11.
