On-fire Obiena strikes gold anew in Germany

MANILA, Philippines — Another one for EJ Obiena.

Obiena brought home his second straight gold medal, this time at the Stabhochsprung Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany Thursday morning (Manila time).

The Olympic pole vaulter won the gold via countback, as he cleared 5.83 meters in one attempt.

He bested Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam, who also cleared 5.83 meters, although he did it in three tries.

Obiena needed two attempts at 5.45 meters, but he flew over 5.60 meters and 5.70 meters with ease.

After this, the title was up for grabs to just three pole vaulters — Obiena, Abdelsalam and Ersu Sasma.

Sasma and Seifeldin cleared 5.77 meters as Obiena skipped.

The Turkish Sasma then took a pass on 5.83 meters, with the Filipino clearing it in his first try, while the Qatari needed three attempts.

As the three tried to clear 5.93 meters, they all missed the mark, giving Obiena the victory.

Prior to his gold-winning performance Thursday, Obiena ruled the Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting auf dem Domplatz in Germany late last month.

Thursday’s first-place finish is also his seventh gold this season.