EJ Obiena bags silver in Diamond League ahead of Asian Games campaign

Filipino pole vault ace EJ Obiena copped a silver medal in the Prefontaine Classic of the Diamond League on Monday morning (Manila time) at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Obiena cleared 5.82 meters in his second try before failing in three attempts at the 6.02m height. Still, it was enough for the Philippine bet to claim second place behind longtime rival Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who broke his previous mark to set a new world record.

Duplantis vaulted his way past 6.23 meters, shattering his previous personal and world tally of 6.22 meters he achieved in France last February.

Sam Kendricks of the USA settled for the bronze after clearing 5.72m.

Obiena's silver medal finish came before he plunges to the Asian Games tilt, where he is among the favorites to win the gold medal.

Obiena, who will serve as one of the country's flag bearers alongside skateboarder Margielyn Didal, will compete in the Asiad on September 30.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News