Obiena tops Asian pole vault

Ernest John Obiena completed a three-peat in the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea after winning the men’s pole vault event late Saturday.

Obiena, 29, had to face off against training partner Huang Bokai of China to get a jump-off after they tallied 5.72m.

The Italy-based Obiena did 5.77m while Bokai failed, giving the gold medal to the Tondo-born vaulter.

Patsapong Amsamarng of Thailand completed the podium cast after posting a personal best of 5.67m.

Obiena’s gold win in the Asian Championships was the lone bright spot for the Philippine national team after several members fell short of the podium finish.

Another Filipino pole vaulter, Hokket delos Santos, finished in 13th after clearing 4.97m.

Hurdler Robyn Brown was dethroned in the women’s 400m hurdles after she finished in fifth place with a time of 56.98 seconds

Sprinter Kristina Knott finished sixth place in the women’s 200m event after clocking in 23.82 seconds.

Bernalyn Bejoy clocked in two minutes and 7.53 seconds in the women’s 800m event to finish in seventh place.