THOMASIAN pole vaulter EJ Obiena reset his own indoor national record to finish with gold at the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) indoor tournament in Berlin, Germany on Saturday, Feb. 24 (PH time).
Obiena secured his record-shattering win by clearing 5.93 meters in two tries after hurdling 5.82 meters.
The world’s No. 2 pole vaulter broke his previous indoor national record of 5.91 meters in the Perche Elite Tour last March 2022.
After missing his first attempt at 5.82 meters, United States pole vaulter Tray Oates shifted to 5.88 meters in hopes to battle Obiena for the gold but used all two attempts to settle for silver.
Poland’s Robert Sobera clinched bronze with a 5.66-meter clearance.
Obiena began the tournament with a flawless jump over 5.56 meters after skipping 5.30 meters, 5.45 meters, 5.66 meters, and 5.75 meters.
Obiena will next play in the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 3.
