He's back on the track. After Paris 2024, EJ Obiena continues to compete--tying for third place in the Lausanne leg of the Wanda Diamond League.
He's back at it, like he promised.
World number three pole vaulter EJ Obiena tied for third place in the Lausanne leg of the Wanda Diamond League, after clearing a height of 5.82 meters.
Reigning Olympic and world champion Armand Duplantis continued to dominate the 11-man field, clearing a height of 6.15 meters. It's the best-ever achieved outside a stadium.
Olympic silver medalist Sam Kendricks finished second once again with a height of 5.92 meters.
Obiena skipped the first two heights and cleared 5.62 meters with one attempt.
He then skipped 5.72 meters and leaped 5.82 meters on his first try.
But Obiena, whose season best is 5.97 meters and has a personal best of 6.00 meters, could not clear 5.92 meters.
During the Olympic Games Paris 2024, he only reached 5.90 meters and buckled the bar when it came to 5.95 meters.
[ALSO READ: “I couldn't move right away” | EJ Obiena reveals details on spine injury prior to Paris 2024 campaign]
Obiena tied with Norway's Sondre Guttormsen and Australia's Kurtis Marschall.
Olympic bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece dropped to sixth place despite clearing the same height due to an inferior record.
There's still plenty for the world number three pole vaulter to smile about, after vowing to make the Philippines proud for the rest of the season.
[ALSO READ: 'Back in the game': Pole vaulter EJ Obiena vows to make Philippines proud for rest of season]