MANILA — Filipino pole vault star Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena fell short of defending his Istaf Indoor title after finishing seventh in Dusseldorf, Germany on Sunday (Manila time).
After setting an Asian indoor record of 5.93 meters last year, Obiena cleared 5.55 meters this time, missing out on the podium in the eight-man competition.
Germany’s Torben Blech took home the gold with a 5.80-meter jump, while American silver medalist Sam Kendricks, who cleared 5.70 meters on his first attempt, secured second place.
Kendricks triumphed over Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, who also cleared 5.70 meters but required two attempts to do so.
ia/mnm