No rest for Obiena

MANILA, Philippines — World No. 12 pole vaulter EJ Obiena continues his chase for a slot in the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on Sept. 4-5 and has two more competitions left to compile qualifying points to crack the elite lineup. Obiena moved up from No. 17 to No. 13 in the Diamond League point standings after finishing sixth with a 5.81m clearance in Lausanne yesterday morning (Manila time).

The Lausanne stop was only Obiena’s second on the Diamond League tour this season, missing six of eight competitions. In his other Diamond League appearance, he vaulted 5.42m to land eighth in Doha last June. It was after Obiena cleared 5.91m in Poland last Monday that he received invitations to join the last three Diamond League meets starting with Lausanne. He is set to compete in Chorzow, Poland, on Monday morning (Manila time) and Zurich, Switzerland, on Aug. 27 in a late bid for Brussels.

In Lausanne, Obiena defeated World No. 4 Sam Kendricks of the US, No. 6 Thiery Baptiste of France, No. 10 Zachary Bradford of the US and No. 11 Renaud Lavillenie of France to reestablish his place among the elite vaulters. He cleared 5.51m and 5.66m in one attempt each, took two tries in jumping 5.81m and failed in three shots at 5.91m. The sixth place finish snapped Obiena’s streak of four straight podium landings, including three golds in a row. Obiena has now vaulted at least 5.80m in six of his last seven competitions.

“I should believe in myself more,” said Obiena, expressing disappointment in aborting his last two 5.91m attempts. “I should demand a higher standard when I compete, not the way I did. I’ll make it happen.”

Only 10 vaulters are on the start list for Chorzow with Lavillenie cut from the Lausanne cast. World No. 1 Mondo Duplantis, who ruled Lausanne at 6.21m, heads the lineup. Aside from pursuing a place in the Diamond League Final, Obiena is also bidding to qualify for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest on Sept. 11-13.