Cover Ernest John Obiena of Philippine during Men's Pole Vault Final on July 12, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Ernest John Obiena of Philippine during Men's Pole Vault Final on July 12, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
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A new personal best was set by Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena during his second place finish at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, France last weekend
Filipino Pole Vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, has set a new personal indoor record after clearing a season-best of 5.91 metres for a silver-medal finish at the Perche Elite Tour in Rounen, France. The athlete managed to wound up behind 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen who claimed the first place bearing a personal-best of 6.05 metres.
Obiena's latest win was his first silver medal since the indoor season began in February. This came after his victories of 5.81m in the Orlen Cup and Orlen Copernicus Cup in Poland.
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The 26-year-old athlete, who successfully leaped to number five in the world's pole vault rankings, sought to hurdle 6.01m, but could not clear the height that will reset his own Asian outdoor record of 593m. 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics bronze medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil has also cleared 5.91m and ended up third place via countback.
Tatler Trivia: In solidarity with the war victims of Russia-Ukraine conflict, Obiena wore a Ukrainian flag band at the Perche Elite Tour.
Read more: Where to Donate: Lend a Helping Hand to War Victims of Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Obiena's new indoor achievement has erased his last standard at 5.86m in 2021. It was just 0.01m short of shattering the Asian record of Kazakhstan's Igor Potapovich.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
