EJ Obiena smashes PH indoor record in France

Ernest John “EJ” Obiena cleared 5.91 meters – his season best – to win a silver medal and resetting his own indoor national record in the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, France.

Obiena, ranked world No. 5 pole vaulter, was beaten by 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the United States after Nilsen cleared a personal-best of 6.05 meters for the gold.

It was the first silver medal for 26-year-old Obiena since the indoor season began last month. Obiena’s silver medal record was better than his gold victories of 5.81m in the Orlen Cup and Orlen Copernicus Cup in Poland.

The current Asian record-holder aimed to hurdle 6.01m but couldn’t clear the height that will reset his own Asian outdoor record of 5.93m.

2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics bronze medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil cleared 5.91m and ended up third place via countback.

Obiena’s new indoor record broke his previous record of 5.86m last year. It was just 0.01m short of shattering the existing Asian indoor record of Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan.