Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena of the Philippines posted an impressive performance of 5.81 meters on Friday (Manila time) but only placed sixth overall at the Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland.
After making 5.81 meters in his second attempt, Obiena failed to clear 5.91 meters in three attempts and make the podium.
“5.81m here in Lausanne,” Obiena posted on Facebook and Instagram.
Obiena made 5.91 meters last Wednesday to win the gold medal at the Golden Sand in Miedzyzdroje, Poland.
World record holder and two-time Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden topped the Wanda Diamond League at 6.21 meters while Emmanouil Karalis of Greece finished second at 6.16 meters.
Kurtis Marschall of Australia, Sondre Guttormsen of Norway and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the United States all cleared 5.91 meters but the bronze medal went to Marschall after the countback.
Obiena and Americans Sam Kendricks and Zach Bradford finished the tournament with identical marks of 5.81 meters but the Filipino claimed sixth place and the Americans ended up tied for seventh place after the tie-break was applied.
Obiena, the reigning Asian Games champion, will next compete in the 13th leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League in Silesia, Poland on Sunday.
