A DAY after winning gold and setting a new Asian mark, Filipino pole-vaulter Ernest John U. Obiena plunged back into action at the ISTAF Berlin competition on Sunday where he finished at fourth place.
The 25-year-old Mr. Obiena cleared 5.81 meters, completing it in three tries, to wind up outside of a podium finish.
Americans Sam Kendricks, Christopher Nilsen and KC Lightfoot took the top three spots, with Mr. Kendricks clearing 5.91 meters to end up in first place.
The result was a slight drop for Mr. Obiena from his impressive showing in the 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria, the previous day, where he cleared 5.93m to win gold and set a new personal best and Asian record.
In the ISTAF competition which was held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Mr. Obiena decided to skip the 5.86 mark after clearing 5.81m, and went straight to 5.91m. He, however, fouled in each of his three tries.
The Philippine bet recently represented the country in the Tokyo Olympic Games and is currently the number five pole-vaulter in the world. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo