EJ Obiena clears his season-best 5.81m to rule Orlen Cup in Poland

EJ Obiena finally found his rhythm back and registered his personal season-best of 5.81 meters to rule the Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland on early Saturday (Manila time).

The Filipino pole vaulter bested fellow Tokyo Olympics participants Thiago Braz of Brazil and hometown bet Lisek Piotr of Poland, who both cleared 5.71m but Braz emerged as second placer due to countback.

Obiena, 26, first skipped 5.01m, 5.21m, and 5.41m before leaping at the 5.51 mark in his first try. He again skipped 5.61m before successfully clearing both 5.71m and 5. 81.

Obiena still tried to clear 5.90 meters but was unable to do so in three tries.

This will be Obiena's first podium finish for the season after a tough start to open his campaign.

He finished fourth in the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin, Germany last February 5 while he wound up eighth in the Beijer Stavhoppsgala tournament at the IFU Arena in Uppsala, Sweden two days ago.

Obiena failed to clear 5.81m in both tournaments.

He has two competitions left for this month: the Meeting Hauts-De-France in Lievin, France on February 17 and Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland on February 22.

—JMB, GMA News