Olympian Ernest John “EJ” Obiena settled for fifth place in the star-studded Lausanne leg of the 2021 Wanda Diamond League series at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Switzerland, Friday morning (Manila time).
Obiena’s decent showing came against several other prominent athletes who struggled following their first major post-Olympic meeting in Europe.
The 25-year old cleared 5.52 meters, which was his lowest height this season.
This put Obiena in a share of fifth spot with USA’s KC Lightfoot and France’s Ethan Cormont, according to the tournament’s official website.
Christopher Nilsen, the Tokyo Olympics’ silver medalist, won the gold at 5.82 meters. He was tied with American Sam Kendricks, who had a similar clearance.
Kendricks, who did not compete during the Tokyo Games after testing positive for COVID-19, settled for the silver after making it to 5.82 meters in two attempts.
Russian Timur Morgunov and reigning Olympic champion Armand Duplantis fought it off for the bronze medal.
But after Duplantis and Morgunov failed to clear 5.82 meters, it was the Russian who claimed third place following his 5.72 earlier.
Duplantis earlier skipped 5.72 meter and went on clinch fourth at 5.62 meters.
So far, Kendricks is now on top of the Diamond League Series standings with 29 points, with Duplantis in close second with 28.
Frenchman Renaud Lavillanie was third with 11 points, followed by Nilsen in fourth with 11.
In close fifth is Obiena with nine points.
Obiena could see action in Paris this weekend.