Christopher Nilsen of the United States had his best jump of the season after beating his world no. 2 Filipino rival Ernest John “EJ” Obiena on Saturday in the Monaco Diamond League.
Competing against Armand Duplantis and Obiena in the Diamond League feels like he is in a world championship everytime.
“Every Diamond League event is like another world championship. The only difference is that this has become higher than a world championship,” said the American.
Nilsen, who is in a rivalry for the no. 2 position with Obiena, cleared of 5.92 meters for the gold medal, with Obiena (5.82) and Kurtis Marschall of Australian taking second and third, respectively.
Duplantis of Sweden settled for fourth at 5.72 meters.
“Quite a series of trips this past week but @diamondleaguemonaco didn’t disappoint. 5.82m and a silver place finish. Big congratulations to @nilsenvault for the W,” said Obiena in a Facebook message.
Obiena made it to no. 2 in the world rankings after he upstaged Nilsen this week with 1432 points.
Nilsen has dropped to second when he claimed the bronze medal at the Diamond League’s Silesia Kamila Skolimowska Memorial tournament in Chorzow, Poland.
The Diamond League is an annual series of top-tier elite track and field athletic competitions.
Obiena is expected to see action in London on July 23 and Zurich on Aug. 31, before the last stop of the Diamond League in Brussels on Sept. 8.