Obiena places sixth in Diamond League

Ernest John Obiena settled for sixth place in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League after clearing 5.81 meters at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Switzerland on Friday.

The 30-year-old Filipino pole vaulter needed two attempts to clear 5.81m before making three unsuccessful tries at 5.91m, which would have equaled his season-best mark.

Armand Duplantis of Sweden dominated the competition, soaring to a new meet record of 6.21m to claim the gold medal.

Emmanouil Karalis of Greece also put on an impressive showing, clearing 6.16m to finish second, while Australia’s Kurtis Marschall took third place after clearing 5.91m.

Obiena recently reached a season-best 5.91m at the Golden Sand meet in Międzyzdroje, Poland, marking his first clearance above 5.90m since 2024.

Obiena is expected to shift his focus to his upcoming major assignments, including the World Athletics Ultimate Championships and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where he will look to defend the gold he won in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

Huang Bokai of China, Hussain Al-Hizam of Saudi Arabia and Patsapong Amsam-ang of Thailand are expected to challenge Obiena’s back-to-back title bid.

Before Obiena makes his way to Japan, he will join the Silesia leg of the Diamond League on 23 August at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, Poland.

“Reached 5.81m here in Lausanne. We go again in Silesia on Sunday,” Obiena said.

Obiena is racing against time as he is aiming for one of the top six spot to qualify for the Diamond League final in Brussels from 4 to 5 September.