By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
EJ Obiena displayed his prowess anew after capturing the gold medal with a season-best performance in the Meeting Metz Moselle Athletor on Saturday, Feb. 8 (early Sunday, Philippine time) at the L’Anneau-Halle d’athlétisme de Metz in France.
The world No. 4 pole vaulter cleared the bar with 5.80 meters on his first attempt to rule the eight-player field in this tournament rated Silver in the World Athletics Indoor Tour scene.
Fellow Olympian Menno Vlonn of the Netherlands also posted 5.70m, but settled for the silver medal after tiebreaks were applied, while American Chris Nilsen, silver medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finished with a bronze after posting 5.60m.
Obiena, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, passed the starting height of 5.20m and 5.35m and immediately went for 5.50m, which he cleared with ease.
He passed 5.60m and went for 5.70m with little trouble, then passed again 5.80m to try 6.585m, which he was unsuccessful at.
Still, it was a huge accomplishment for Obiena especially early in this indoor season after being sidelined with a back injury for months.
It was only his second tournament after winning the silver medal by clearing 5.65m in the International Jump Meeting Cottbus 2025 in Germany late last month.
“Merci Beaucoup Metz! Will take the season’s best and a dub! Now time to sleep and get some much needed rest as we go back to it tomorrow!” Obiena wrote on his social media moments after his win.
He is scheduled to compete in the ISTAF Indoor tournament at the PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf, Germany on Sunday (Monday, Philippine time).
