Ernest John Obiena came up short in his quest for a medal in the 2020 Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Athletics meet in Tuesday in Chorzow, Poland.
The 24-year-old Obiena got tired in his bid to make higher attempts, but he still came up with one of his best performances this year when the men’s pole vault action ended.
The 6’2” Obiena made it as far as 5.62 meters to finish at fifth place before struggling to clear 5.72 and 5.77 meters.
Despite the challenges he faced, Obiena’s showing was still better since it was within range what he did during the virtual pole vault meet of FineGuard two weeks ago, and in Monaco a few days back.
He did it at 5.6 meters in the Fine Guard meet back then.
Over at the 2020 Monaco Diamond League on last Aug. 14, Obiena settled for the bronze with a 5.7- meter effort.
“I think he’s physically capable of clearing a better height. Kaso, hindi niya ma-feel,” said his dad Emerson following a long-distance conversation with his son.
Fatigue was already creeping up on Obiena when he missed his chance to scale the bar at 5.72 and 5.77 meters.
After eventual champion Sam Kendricks made it past 5.72 meters in his first try, Obiena was all alone in making the height.
And the quick rotation in attempting this height frustrated him.
“I’m physically present, but I’m not here,” stated in Obiena, who finished tied with German opponents Raphael Holzdeppe and Torben Blech at that height.
Kendricks took home the gold medal with a 5.82 m clearance, while Dutch Menno Vloon landed a runner-up finish after he cleared 5.72 meters.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico lauded Obiena’s feat, recognizing it as one of his best.
“As far as the PATAFA and I are concerned, EJ did rather well by placing fifth, clearing 5.6 m versus Sam Kendrick’s performance of 5.82 meters. EJ attempted 5.77 meters and, according to Emerson, in the third attempt.
Juico said that in the video of the event, it showed that there was enough clearance to do 5.8 meters.
“It must be noted that Kendricks cleared 5.5 or 5.6 meters and placed fifth in the last competition prior to Poland,” added Juico.