By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena came up short of a podium finish in the Meeting de Paris Wanda Diamond League after settling for a share of fourth place on Sunday, July 7, at the Estadio Charletey in France.
The world No. 2 registered 5.75 meters to tie with Emmanouil Karalis of Greece in a star-studded event that has 10 athletes bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics slated late this month.
Obiena attempted 5.85m but could not clear it twice, and went on for 5.95m on his final attempt, to no avail.
As expected, world record holder and reigning Olympic champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden lorded it over and dominated the field with a 6.00m performance while two-time world champion and 2016 Rio Games bronze medalist Sam Kendricks captured the silver medal with a season-best 5.95m.
Paris-bound Thibaut Collet of France clinched the bronze with 5.85m.
Duplantis tried to eclipse his two-month-old world record of 6.24m by going for 6.25m, but was unsuccessful.
Obiena is one of the country’s best bets to win a medal in the Paris Olympics with his current world ranking and his previous performances in the international elite stage.
He boasts of an Asian record of 6.00m he established last year, as well as five gold medals in both indoor and outdoor events this season.
Prior to this tournament — which served as a preview of what’s in store for the Paris Games — Obiena was coming off back-to-back victories in Poland last month including registering a season-best 5.97m at the 6th Irena Szewinska Memorial.
