EJ Obiena in action during Taiwan International Pole Vault Championship. –EJ OBIENA INSTAGRAM
MANILA, Philippines—EJ Obiena’s first outdoor event of the year was off to a rousing success.
Obiena struck gold and ruled the Taiwan International Pole Vault Championship in dominant fashion despite foggy conditions on Sunday at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan,
READ: EJ Obiena focuses on outdoor events
“[I] had a new experience a few days ago. I had my first fog warning in the midst of a pole vault competition, in Taiwan… You just disappear. Talk about the proverbial ‘Leap of faith,’ wrote Obiena in an Instagram post.
“I decided to go for it and place my leap of faith in God’s hand. I am thankful to have won the competition under such “murky” conditions!”
Obiena’s gold medal win in Taiwan marked his third overall of the year following his triumphant stints in the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Poland and the Metz Moselle Athelor in France.
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“We can’t always have sunny skies and perfect weather conditions. We have to persevere through all kinds of adversity,” “This was a new kind of adversity and I definitely learned from it!”
READ: EJ Obiena bounces back with gold at Orlen Copernicus Cup
Despite the difficult weather conditions, Obiena managed to breach the 5.50 meter mark for the first-place finish.
American pole vaulter Matt Ludwig took home the silver medal after clearing 5.30 meters.
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Other Filipinos who competed in the competition were Hokkett Delos Santos and Francis Allen Sillar, who finished at 5.15m and 3.91m, respectively.
Obiena skipped theWorld Athletics Indoor Championship last month, saying his focus in on staying healthy during the outdoor season.
