Philippines’s EJ Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault event during the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League athletics meeting in Keqiao, Shaoxing in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–EJ Obiena missed out on a podium finish anew in the Wanda Diamond League, finishing fifth in the Shanghai leg on Saturday.
This, a week after finishing in seventh place in the Xiamen Leg of the Diamond League competition.
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Obiena successfully cleared 5.72 meters in his second attempt but couldn’t get past the 5.82m bar after three attempts.
Obiena was tied with four other athletes who also couldn’t clear 5.82m, but countbacks placed him behind Sam Kendricks of the USA and Ben Broeders of Belgium.
As expected, Olympic record holder Mondo Duplantis took home gold after clearing 6.11m in his first attempt—a new meet record.
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis reacts as he competes in the men’s pole vault during the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League athletics meeting in Keqiao, Shaoxing, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP)
Duplantis tried to reset his world record at 6.28m but ultimately couldn’t after three attempts.
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“The jump did not feel that great and the run did not feel that great either,” he said.
“So to have a good attempt while not feeling my best is actually a really good thing. I will keep working on my speed.”
Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis snagged silver after a 6.01m clearance, while the Netherlands bet Menno Vloon rounded out the podium after clearing 5.82m. –With reports from Agence France-Presse
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