Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena bowed out of contention in the Tokyo Olympics men’s pole vault finals at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday evening (Aug. 3).
The World No. 6 missed out on a possible podium finish in the finals after failing to clear the 5.80-meter mark in three attempts.
After breezing past the 5.55-meter mark, Obiena had a tough time with the 5.70 mark, needing three attempts to clear the said height.
The 25-year-old top Pinoy pole vaulter then failed to clear the 5.80 meter mark in three tries. He was given another chance on his last attempt after arguing to officials that the uprights were moving.
Obiena finished 11th in the 14-man competition. Sweden’s world-record holder Mondo Duplantis won the event after clearing 6.02 meters.
The 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist secured a spot in the finals on July 31 after being included in the top 12 of the qualification round. (PTV Sports)/AG-rir
