EJ Obiena sets new Philippine record, finishes second in Paris Diamond League

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena on Saturday broke the Philippine record anew in outdoor pole vault.

Obiena, in the Paris Diamond League, successfully cleared the 5.91 meter mark to reset the record he previously had at 5.87 meters and give him his new personal best.

The Filipino Olympian also attempted to clear twice the 5.96 meter mark and once for 6.01 meters but did not succeed.

Obiena finished second behind Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Armand Duplantis, who ruled the tournament with 6.01 meters, while American Christopher Nielsen finished third with 5.81 meters.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena of the Philippines is shown in action during the men's pole vault at the Paris Diamond League held at Stade Charlety in Paris, France on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Obiena cleared the 5.91-meter mark, resetting his own previous record of 5.87 meters.  REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Prior to Paris, Obiena finished fifth at the Athletissima in Lausanne, Switzerland, his first competition after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/KG, GMA News