Obiena fifth in star-studded meet

MANILA, Philippines, February 11 ------ EJ Obiena of the Philippines settled for fifth place in the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Lievin, France where reigning world champion and record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden triumphed yesterday.

Pitted against Duplantis and some of the world’s best, the 25-year-old Obiena could not muster the same form he showed in topping two events in Berlin and Dortmund, Germany a few days ago. Obiena, who is preparing for the Tokyo Olympics in July, couldn’t go higher than 5.60 meters, which was good for joint fifth with 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil. The Filipino failed in three attempts at 5.74m.

The 21-year-old Duplantis won the event despite vaulting only twice and clearing the bar on his first attempts at 5.60m and 5.86m. He passed up when the bar was raised to 5.92m. American Chris Nilsen took the silver by matching Duplantis’ 5.86m while 2012 London Olympics gold medalist Renaud Lavillenie of France pocketed the bronze with 5.80m.

Source: philstar.com