By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
EJ Obiena is back to his gold-winning ways.
After his three-gold run ended a week ago in Berlin, Obiena rediscovered his form and ruled the Golden Fly Series in Schaan, Liechtenstein Sunday, Sept. 11 (early Monday in Manila).
The Tokyo Olympic pole vaulter cleanly cleared 5.71-meter barrier to beat five other competitors with nary a trouble.
American Olen Tray Oates bagged the silver with 5.61m while Austria’s Riccardo Klotz settled for bronze with 5.51m.
Completing the finishers were Americans Austin Miller and Nat Richartz with identical 5.51m and Serbian Robert Renner with 5.21m.
Obiena attempted to clear 6 meters in his desire eclipse his national and Asian record of 5.94m but failed.
In Berlin’s ISTAF 2022, the world No. 3 Obiena settled for silver behind fellow Tokyo Games veteran Meno Vloon of the Netherlands.
Overall, he collected five titles in his second European season where he competed in eight tournaments. He also finished at the podium in the remaining three events.
His most notable performance was at the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League where he beat world No. 1 Mondo Duplantis for the gold.
