Obiena clears German bar for gold

EJ Obiena won the True Athletes Classic at the Manforter Stadio in Leverkusen, Germany, after clearing 5.81 meters Sunday evening.

Obiena cleared the bar in his second try at 5.81m for gold, his third-straight feat in the top three after winning the 26th Stabhochsprung-Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany last week and third place at the Athletissima Lausanne Diamond League last Friday.

Rutgar Koppelaar of the Netherlands had to settle to second place due to countback despite also clearing 5.81m.

Kurtis Marschall also leaped past 5.81m but settled for third place bacause of count back.

Hometown bet Bo Kanda Lita Baehre cleared 5.73m for fourth while Sondre Guttormsen of Norway cleared the same height but placed fifth via countback.

Norweigian pole vaulter Simen Guttormsen and German pole vaulter Oleg Zernikel never made it past the starting height of 5.43m while another German athlete in Torben Blech did not start.