Thomasian pole vaulter EJ Obiena capped his outdoor season with back-to-back gold-medal finishes in Switzerland, bringing his total medal output to eight in as many competitions.
Obiena clinched his final gold medal in record-setting fashion during the Galà dei Castelli in Bellinzona, Switzerland on Tuesday (Philippine time).
Obiena cleared 5.81 meters in two attempts to rule the competition. He skipped the first four height clearances at 5.01, 5.21, 5.41 and 5.51 meters.
The Filipino pole vaulter cleared the 5.61-meter bar in two attempts and then skipped 5.71 meters. He then cleared the 5.81-meter bar, setting a new meet record as he surpassed the previous 5.70-meter record set in 1999 by Tim Lobinger of Germany.
Obiena attempted to break the Asian Record at 5.95 meters but failed in all three attempts.
American pole vaulter Christopher Nilsen, who ranks No. 2 in the world, bagged silver after clearing 5.71 meters, while Lavillenie Renaud of France won the bronze medal after clearing 5.71 meters in three attempts.
A day before his season-ender, Obiena competed in the Golden Fly Series in Liechtenstein where he also captured gold.
The former UST Trackster cleared 5.71 meters in two attempts. He cleared the opening bar at 5.21 meters, then skipped 5.41 meters.
He again tried 5.51 meters, clearing the bar in one go then he again skipped the height at 5.61 meters.
At the 5.71-meter bar, it was a showdown between Obiena and American pole vaulter Olen Oates after both pole vaulters skipped the 5.66-meter height.
The Filipino pole vaulter, who currently holds the Asian Record at 5.94 meters, attempted to go for the 6-meter height clearance but failed in all three attempts.
On his social media accounts, Obiena thanked his Filipino fans for their support when he competed in the last four weeks.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng sumubaybay sa aking mga laban nitong mga nakaraang linggo,” he wrote.
Obiena completed his eight-leg season with six gold-medal finishes, one of which came from a win against world No. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden, one silver medal, and one bronze medal.
