By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
There’s no stopping pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The 26-year-old Tokyo Olympian added the Gala dei Castelli to his burgeoning collection of titles as he humbled practically the same rivals for his back-to-back feat Monday, Sept. 12 (early Tuesday in Manila) in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
His confidence emboldened by his victory in the Golden Fly Series in Schaan, Liechtenstein on Sunday (Monday in Manila), Obiena broke the meet record when he soared mightily, clearing the 5.81-meter barrier in a performance that further cemented his status.
The world No. 3 Obiena started at 5.61m, which he cleared in two attempts, then passed 5.71m before clearing 5.81m also on his second try.
Obiena attempted to reset his national and Asian mark – a habit that he has been doing this season – but failed to clear 5.95m. His national and Asian Games is 5.94m.
Obiena beat Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen, who settled for silver via countback with veteran Renaud Lavillenie of France and fellow American Jacob Wooten.
The three registered identical 5.71m with Lavillenie settling for the bronze.
It was an impressive feat for Obiena, who captured his sixth title in the eight tournaments since starting his second European season last month.
He also never missed the podium in all those eight appearances.
His victories came at the Stabhochsprungmeeting in Jockgrim, Germany, the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, Germany, the Saint Wendel City Jump in Sankt Wendel, Germany, the Golden Fly Series in Liechtenstein and the Memorial van Damme Diamond League meet in Brussels, Belgium where he beat world No. 1 Mondo Duplantis.
His other accomplishments include finishing third in the Athletissima in Lausanne, Switzerland and second in ISTAF in Berlin, Germany that ended his three-gold streak.
His most notable performance was at the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League where he beat world No. 1 Mondo Duplantis for the gold.
