Thomasian pole vaulter EJ Obiena upset Armand Duplantis, the No. 1 pole vaulter in the world, to bag the gold in the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday (Philippine time).
Obiena cleared 5.91 meters to shock Duplantis, who set a world record in July with a 6.21-meter leap in the World Athletics Championships finals.
Obiena skipped the first 5.41-meter bar, then cleared 5.61 meters in his first attempt. He skipped 5.71 meters, then cleared 5.81 meters in two attempts.
He skipped the 5.86-meter bar along with Duplantis.
Duplantis settled for silver, his first of the season. USA’s Chris Nilsen secured bronze after clearing 5.71 meters in three attempts.
Obiena’s victory won him his fourth gold medal in Europe in less than 10 days.
Obiena will be back for more action in Germany when he will compete in the ISTAF Berlin meet on Sept. 9.
