Obiena struggles, settles for 8th in Mondo Classic

Ernest John Obiena capped his indoor campaign with a forgettable performance in the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden last Friday.

The 29-year-old Filipino pole vaulting sensation posted 5.65 meters to finish eighth, which is way below his season-best 5.80 meters.

Obiena, the Asian Games record holder, started the tournament with a lot of promise after hurdling 5.50 meters and 5.65 meters in a single try. But he eventually struggled to find his rhythm as he used all his three attempts trying to breach the 5.80-meter mark.

World record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden was able to win the hearts of his adoring home fans as he won his third gold medal of the season with a commanding 6.05-meter vault.

He tried to further treat his fans to a dazzling aerial display of vaulting prowess by resetting his 6.28-meter world record, but he failed in his three attempts.

Two weeks ago, the Olympic and world champion had set the 11th world record of his stunning career when he cleared 6.27 meters at Clermont in France.

“I’m a little annoyed but happy at the same time because it was a great competition and I did my best,” Duplantis told SVT.

“I shouldn’t complain, it was like an Olympic final.”

On his first attempt, Duplantis cleared 5.65 meters, then comfortably sailed over 5.90 meters and 6.00 meters.

He was the only one to succeed at 6.05 meters before attempting what would have been a breathtaking 6.28 meters.

However, it was in vain, despite the raucous atmosphere inside the arena and support of fellow competitors who were willing him on to achieve “his biggest dream” by breaking the record on home ground.

Duplantis will have another opportunity to get closer to his season goal of 6.30 meters at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, later in March.

Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, recent winner of the European indoor championships, took second place with 6.00 meters ahead of Sam Kendricks of the United States who registered 5.90 meters.

Since undergoing a spine surgery that cut short his 2024 season, Obiena has been struggling to find the form that once made him as the second-best pole vaulter in the world.

So far, the Italy-trained Filipino vaulter joined six meets in the indoor season but managed to land on the podium only thrice.

He won two gold medals last February after topping the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France with 5.70 meters and the ORLEN Copernicus Cup in Poland, where he cleared his season-best 5.80 meters.

Obiena, however, won’t be seeing action in the World Athletics Indoor Championships after failing to hit the standard of 5.85 meters.

With that, he will just turn his focus for the outdoor season and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) secretary general Jasper Tanhueco assured that they will do everything to help Obiena rediscover his fighting form. with AFP

“In light of the challenges he faced, including the recovery from injury, I know his team did his best, it was best to prioritize his health and long-term performance,” Tanhueco said.

“Rest assured, president Terry Capistrano and the entire Patafa are fully supportive of EJ, we are in close contact with him and confident that he will return stronger this year.”