Obiena wins ninth gold of the season in Berlin meet – BusinessWorld Online
ASIAN pole vault champion EJ Obiena collected his ninth gold medal of the year after topping the ISTAF Berlin meet with 5.82 meters (m) at the Olympiastadion.
It was the fourth win by the 30-year-old in Berlin after winning two previous indoor events and an outdoor meet three years ago.
But he missed 5.97 m in three tries that would have guaranteed him a seat to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship on Sept. 11-13 in Budapest.
It would also have been his best effort this season had he made it.
Mr. Obiena vowed to clear that height in his next meet in Brussels that could be one of his last competitions before the Asian Games in Nagoya starting Sept. 20.
Mr. Obiena cleared 5.90 m in Zurich a few days before that.
While he fell a hairline short of replicating his season-best 5.91 m in Miedzyzdroje, Poland two weeks ago, Mr. Obiena has shown signs of improvement and is on form to reclaim his World No. 2 spot, which he last held two years ago. — Joey Villar