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Ernest Obiena of the Philippines competes in the Mondo Classic pole vault competition in a gala format at the IFU Arena in Uppsala on February 2, 2023. (Photo by Fredrik SANDBERG / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT
Playing in an event named after the rivalry that is the proverbial bar of the sport, EJ Obiena on Thursday (Friday in Manila) continued his medal-winning ways, taking home bronze at the 2023 Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden.
The world No. 3 jumper cleared 5.91 meters in his third and final attempt to finish third as he began a fine season that started with bronze and gold, but this time against a more talented field. Armand Duplantis.
Duplantis cleared 6.10m to take the gold medal in front of his hometown crowd at the IFU Arena, with USA’s KC Lightfoot taking silver on countback in Obiena.
Obiena’s outing matched her season best and the Philippine national indoor record she set last year during the Perce Elite also in France.
But more importantly, it showed how the 27-year-old from Tondo, Manila, showed that Duplantis—whom he beat last year—stayed on target.
Duplantis, who lost to Obiena in the Diamond League in August, tried to break his personal best with a distance of 6.22m. He failed all three attempts.
Obiena was supposed to see action at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan where she is a solid favorite, but logistical issues with her pole canceled those plans.
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