MILAN, Italy – Pole vaulter EJ Obiena once again ruled a European athletics event in Italy days after his triumph in the World Universiade in Naples.
Obiena leaped to victory with a jump of 5.55 meters, putting behind his Greek and German competitors, who reached only 5.30 meters, at the annual Citta Padova Atletica Mondiale held in Santa Euganeo in Padua, Italy on July 16.
His jump was behind his Universiade record of 5.76 meters but is still higher than the Southeast Asian Games standard.
‘Against the odds’: Pole vaulter EJ Obiena sets new PH record
“It feels good. It gives me confidence going into the next one. Wasn’t really the height that I was aiming for but a win is a win,” said Obiena.
The pole vaulter is set to next compete in events in Germany: in Mossingen on July 20 and Leverkusen on July 24.
“I need to prepare and train hard again for the second half of the season,” added Obiena.
He is next set to compete in the IAAF Diamond League Finals in Zurich, Switzerland and Brussels, Belgium in August and the September World Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Photo Caption
EJ Obiena of the Philippines clears the bar in this file photo.
