Obiena strikes gold in Poland
(UPDATE) FILIPINO pole vault ace Ernest John "EJ" Obiena bounced back big time with a golden performance at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland on Monday (Manila time). Coming from a seventh place finish at the Istaf Indoor meet in Germany last week, Obiena soared to a season-best 5.80 meters to rule the Copernicus Cup. Obiena started with a 5.50-m clearance in just one try before skipping 5.60 and hurdling 5.70 in one attempt as well. The two-time Olympian encountered turbulence at the 5.80-m height, only clearing the bar in his third attempt. Obiena tried to vault higher but he couldn't make a successful clearance at 5.85 m. Home bet Piotr Lisek surpassed 5.70 m to finish second and claim the silver medal. Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen likewise made a 5.70-m clearance but lost to Lisek via countback, needing two attempts to clear the 5.60-m height which Guttormsen cleared in just his first try. This is Obiena's second gold medal in the 2025 season and third podium finish out of four tournaments. Ranked fourth in his sport, Obiena started the year with a silver medal finish at the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus on Jan. 30. Obiena then topped the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France on Feb. 9 before losing his indoor title at Istaf Indoor the following day.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) FILIPINO pole vault ace Ernest John "EJ" Obiena bounced back big time with a golden performance at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland on Monday (Manila time).
Coming from a seventh place finish at the Istaf Indoor meet in Germany last week, Obiena soared to a season-best 5.80 meters to rule the Copernicus Cup.
Obiena started with a 5.50-m clearance in just one try before skipping 5.60 and hurdling 5.70 in one attempt as well.
The two-time Olympian encountered turbulence at the 5.80-m height, only clearing the bar in his third attempt.
Obiena tried to vault higher but he couldn't make a successful clearance at 5.85 m.
Home bet Piotr Lisek surpassed 5.70 m to finish second and claim the silver medal.
Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen likewise made a 5.70-m clearance but lost to Lisek via countback, needing two attempts to clear the 5.60-m height which Guttormsen cleared in just his first try.
This is Obiena's second gold medal in the 2025 season and third podium finish out of four tournaments.
Ranked fourth in his sport, Obiena started the year with a silver medal finish at the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus on Jan. 30.
Obiena then topped the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France on Feb. 9 before losing his indoor title at Istaf Indoor the following day.
