Ernest John Obiena and Menno Vloon of the Netherlands made history as they emerged as co-champions in the International Jump-Meeting Cottbus in Germany on Thursday.

Both Obiena and Vloon posted 5.77 meters to set the stage for a deciding jump-off. Both vaulters, however, failed to clear 5.84 meters, prompting tournament organizers to declare both of them as winners — the first time it ever happened in the history of the annual event.

Defending champion Sam Kendricks of the United States also tallied 5.77 meters but settled for the bronze medal as Vloon and Obiena proved more superior via count back.

The victory was some sort of a redemption for the 30-year-old Obiena after settling for a silver medal last year where he only cleared 5.65m. It was also his first gold medal in the indoor season.

“First win of the season with a new season’s best of 5.77m. Brick by brick we build,” said Obiena, the world No. 11 who holds the record in both the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games.

“Thank you, International Jump-Meeting Cottbus and the amazing crowd for making this evening one to remember.”

The 30-year-old Obiena is slowly regaining his form after starting his campaign with a bronze medal in the 6th ISTAF Dusseldorf in Germany where he tallied 5.65m.

The former world No. 2 pole vaulter is aiming to clear 5.90m before 8 March to enter the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland. He last competed in the World Championships in 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland where he finished fifth with 5.65m.

He also tried to qualify last year but he wasn’t able to clear the standard of 5.85m before the 9 March deadline.