Rex Neil Falogme

After missing the podium at the Olympics last year, world No. 4 EJ Obiena got back on track as he bagged his first gold medal this year with a dominant performance at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athletor men's pole vault late Saturday evening, Feb. 8 (Manila time) in France.


The 29-year-old Philippines bet cleared a season-best 5.70 meters to triumph over eight powerhouse vaulters, including Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Christopher Nilsen of USA, securing the top spot in his first indoor tournament of the year.

“Will take the season’s best and a dub!!! Now [it’s] time to sleep and get some much needed rest as we go back [to] it tomorrow,” Obiena wrote on Facebook, sharing a selfie photo with Nilsen and Dutch vaulter Menno Vloon.

Carrying his confidence onto the world stage, the 6-foot-2 star vaulter skipped the 5.20m and 5.35m marks before clearing 5.50m in a single attempt. He then successfully vaulted 5.60m before setting a new season record at 5.70m .

Riding his momentum, Obiena tried to extend his card to 5.85m but fell short in three attempts.

Vloon, meanwhile, passed the 5.70m but settled for silver due to a countback after needing three attempts to clear the 5.60m.

Nilsen took home the bronze with a 5.60m showing.

Before capturing his first gold this year, the Filipino Olympian recently claimed a silver medal at the International Jump Meeting Cottbus in Germany last January 31.

He is back in action later today to defend his title in the ISTAF Indoor Tournament after ruling the same even a year ago.