Obiena lands 10th in French meet

Following his award-winning performance at the Orlen Cup in Poland (a season-best 5.81 meters jump for the gold), pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena finished 10th place out of 12 competitors at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Lievin, France.

Obiena, who owns the Asian pole vault record of 5.93 meters (m), could only muster 5.61m, even needing three attempts to clear the height.

The 26-year-old Obiena tried to hurdle the 5.71m bar but was failed in three attempts.

The 5.61m performance now stands as a season-low for Obiena who started the year with a pair of 5.70m jumps before winning the gold in Poland.

Meanwhile, American Christopher Nilsen topped the French tournament by clearing 5.91m.

Brazilian Thiago Braz and Dutch Menno Vloon both jumped 5.81m, but Braz claimed the silver because he cleared the bar in his first attempt while Vloon made it after three tries.

Obiena will next compete at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Poland.