Obiena settles for 7th as ‘Mondo’ hits 6.20m
Ernest John Obiena once again finished outside the podium after settling for seventh place in the Silesia leg of the Diamond League at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, Poland on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Filipino pole vaulter cleared 5.80 meters on his first attempt but failed to breach the 5.90m mark in one of his final competitions before the Diamond League Final in Brussels.
Obiena missed twice at 5.90m before electing to take a crack at 6.00m, but he was unable to clear the height on his final attempt.
Still, the former world No. 2 took the result as another step in his buildup for two major assignments next month.
“A li’l 5.80m here in Poland,” Obiena said in a social media post.
Swedish superstar Armand “Mondo” Duplantis claimed another victory after clearing 6.20m despite admitting that he struggled early in the competition.
“It was super difficult. I was really sloppy at the beginning,” Duplantis said.
“But I was trying to survive, to give myself a new life. I always tell myself every time you clear a height, you get three new attempts. I made a few mistakes today and some of my judgment calls were off.”
Duplantis eventually found his rhythm, clearing 6.00m before going over 6.10m on his second attempt. He then cleared 6.20m to seal the victory after Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis failed in his three attempts at the same height.
Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen and Karalis also cleared 6.00m, but neither could get past 6.10m.
For Obiena, the focus now shifts to the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest from 11 to 13 September.
The Filipino star is trying to crack the top eight of the qualification rankings before the 1 September deadline to secure a place in the prestigious competition.
After Budapest, Obiena will head to Japan to defend his Asian Games crown in Nagoya.
The reigning Asian Games champion will be gunning for back-to-back gold medals while also looking to eclipse his own 5.90m meet record.
Obiena is expected to be among the Philippines’ top medal hopes alongside boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, gymnasts Carlos and Eldrew Yulo and jiu-jitsu standout Annie Ramirez.
