Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John (EJ) Obiena won his first gold medal of 2025 at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athletor on Saturday (Manila time), in Metz, France!
Photo: EJ Obiena on Facebook
After taking silver at the International Jump Meeting Cottbus 2025 in Germany, two-time Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena emerged victorious in an eight-man tournament in France, clearing 5.70 meters.
EJ Obiena strategically skipped the first two heights (5.20m and 5.35m), cleared 5.50m on his first attempt, and then cleared 5.70m after passing on 5.60m. Despite three unsuccessful attempts at 5.85m, his 5.70m jump secured the win, edging out Menno Vloon (also 5.70m) on countback. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Christopher Nilsen took bronze with a 5.60m jump.
“Merci Beaucoup Metz,” EJ Obiena expressed in a social media post. “Will take the season’s best and a dub!!!”
Fresh off his win, EJ Obiena aimed for another strong performance at the ISTAF Indoor meet in Dusseldorf, Germany, where he set a record of 5.93m last year. “Now, time to sleep and get some much-needed rest as we go back to it tomorrow!!!”
Despite his efforts, EJ Obiena was unable to reach the podium at the German competition on Sunday (Manila time). The 29-year-old athlete failed to clear 5.75m after three attempts and finished seventh with a best jump of 5.55m.
Also read: EJ Obiena Apologizes for Not Joining Carlos Yulo on the Podium at the Paris Olympics 2024
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