EJ Obiena places 4th in his season debut in Berlin

Embattled pole vaulter EJ Obiena finished fourth in the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin, Germany, making his return to the field after being embroiled in a row with Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

The 26-year-old Obiena, who recently underwent a knee surgery, took two attempts to clear the 5.45 meters but easily surpassed both 5.59 and 5.70 meters.

Obiena, who set the Asian and national record of 5.93m last September, formally bowed out of podium contention, though, after committing three faults in an attempt to clear the 5.81m.

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and current world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden lived up to his billing, topping the event after clearing 6.03m. The 22-year-old Swedish even tried to break his own record but was unable to clear 6.19m.

Coming in at second and third spots were KC Lightfoot of USA and Oleg Zernikel of Germany after clearing 5.92m and 5.81, respectively. With his finish, home bet Zernikel also set his personal best.

Obiena won't have a long break as he is set to compete in the International Pole Vault Invitationals in Uppsala, Sweden on February 9 and the Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland on February 11.

—JMB, GMA News