Thomasian pole vaulter EJ Obiena ruled the International Springer-Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29 (Manila time), at the Lausitz Arena in Cottbus, Germany.
Obiena cleared 5.77 meters to claim the gold medal, improving on his bronze finish at the ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf last Sunday, Jan. 25, where he registered 5.65 meters.
Dutch vaulter Menno Vloon matched the clearance, forcing a jump-off. Both athletes then failed to clear 5.84 meters with the same number of attempts, prompting officials to declare them joint winners — the first shared gold in the meet’s history.
Defending champion Sam Kendricks of the United States placed third after clearing the same height in three attempts.
Vloon and Kendricks finished first and second, respectively, at the ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf earlier this month in Germany.
