BREAKING NEWS: The Philippines’ Ernest John “EJ” Obiena has won the 2022 Golden Fly Series in Schaan, Liechtenstein, capping a successful campaign for 7 medals in all his scheduled 7 events in Europe.
The Filipino pole vault champion breezed through the field of 6 of the world’s top pole vaulters to take the 1st place FlySwat after clearing 5.71 meters at the 19th Tour Stop of the Golden Fly Series held on September 11 (September 12 early morning Philippine time).
EJ Obiena has just won gold at the Golden Fly Series Liechtenstein 2022, capping a successful campaign for medals in a 7-event series in Europe @ejobiena @WorldAthletics
STORY TO FOLLOW via @GoodNewsPinas_
Screengrabs from Vimeo livestream pic.twitter.com/5fvQQiVPp4— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) September 11, 2022
Even after his sure victory, Obiena further challenged himself and attempted to clear 6 meters and break the Asian Record, a feat he nearly achieved in front of the cheering crowd gathered to watch the matches.
The World No. 3 in men’s pole vault thanked the organizers and the crowd in his post-game interview onstage saying he always tries his best at the Golden Fly which he considers his family.
It was at the 2021 Golden Fly Series’ 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria, where Obiena cleared 5.93 meters to break the 23-year-old Asian Record of 5.92 meters held by Kazakhstan’s Igor Potapovich.
The Philippine champion again recently reset the Asian Record to 5.94 meters at the World Championships in Oregon, USA, where he won the bronze medal, the first-ever medal for the Southeast Asian country in the prestigious Worlds.
7 Medals in 7 Events
The victory in Liechtenstein is the 7th medal for Obiena in as many competitions that he joined in his European campaign.
The 26-year-old athlete made the podium in all of his seven scheduled events from August to September, harvesting 5 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze in premier meets staged in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Liechtenstein.
The highlight of his European campaign for medals is Obiena’s defeating World No. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden at the premier Wanda Diamond League Allianz Memorial Van Damme event.
EJ Obiena’s medals are as follows:
- GOLD on August 23 at the 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany. Obiena’s gold-winning vault at 5.81 meters made the qualification standard for the World Championships next year.
- BRONZE on August 25 at the premier Lausanne Diamond League Athletissima event in Switzerland after clearing 5.80 meters on his second attempt.
- GOLD on August 28 at the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, Germany after clearing 5.81 meters in two attempts.
- GOLD on August 31 at the St. Wendel City Jump in Germany after clearing 5.86 meters which reset the competition record of 5.71 meters.
- GOLD on September 2 at the Brussels Wanda Diamond League in Belgium after clearing the height of 5.91 meters on his third attempt. Obiena’s first-place finish at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme event was at the expense of World No. 1 Armand Duplantis.
- SILVER on September 4 at the ISTAF Berlin after clearing 5.81 meters on his second attempt.
- GOLD on September 11 at the 19th Tour Stop of Golden Fly Series in Schaan, Liechtenstein, after clearing 5.71 meters.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS AND CHEERS in the comments below to Filipino pole vault champion EJ Obiena for completing his 7 medals haul in as many events in Europe!
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