A heavier pole help Tokyo Olympics-bound Ernest John “EJ” Obiena reach his goals these days.
And this became handy when Obiena and his training partner Thiago Braz of Brazil shared the top honors Sunday in the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, Germany.
“Maganda ang condition. Mahangin. Kaya mabigat ang hawak na pole in EJ,” said EJ’s dad Emerson following talks with his son on Sunday evening.
Both Obiena and Olympic champion Braz cleared 5.8 meters on their second attempts in the men’s pole vault event to win the gold medal.
For Obiena, this gave him his second first place finish in two weekends.
“Mukhang kakayanin niyang tumalon nang mas mataas sa matigas na pole,” added the elder Obiena.
Obiena, who is waiting for his heavier pole to arrive, tried the height of 5.9 meters with Braz, but failed. The 5.9 meters would have established a new Philippine record.
“Okay naman ang tawid niya sa mga poles na ginagamit niya ngayon,” said Emerson.
Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehre took the bronze after he reached 5.80m on his third try, while Olympic-bound Oleg Zernikel of Germany was fourth with 5.65m.
Last week, Obiena cleared 5.85 meters on his third attempt for a new Philippine outdoor record as he claimed the gold medal in the Jump and Fly competition in Mossingen, Germany.
Obiena will be in Bygozz Bydgosszcz, Poland on June 30 to compete at the Irena Szwewinska Memorial/Bydgosszcz Cup at the Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak Stadium.