EJ Obiena overcomes rain to rule first-ever PATAFA Pole Vault Challenge

MANILA, Philippines, May 8 ------ Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena emerged as the winner of first-ever and locally hosted PATAFA Pole Vault Challenge held at Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite. Obiena cleared 5.80 meters and overcame the rain to top the meet. He surpassed Yan-Han Wu of Chinese Taipei who notched 5.15 meters to settle for the silver, and compatriot Hokett Delos Santos who also cleared 5.15 meters for the bronze. 

Obiena admittedly is not a fan of the rain but he still made the most of the opportunity. "Happy to jump a new SB at my home track," the Olympian expressed in a social media post. "Thank you for everyone that came to compete, watch and soak in the rain!!! Hope y’all had fun!!!" 

He recently finished fifth place in the second stop of the Wanda Diamond League in Shanghai just last Saturday, and seventh place in the Xiamen leg on April 26. Obiena is gearing up for the Asian Championships on May 27-31 in Gumi, South Korea. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com