The 25-year-old Obiena cleared 5.80 meters to share the mint with 2016 Rio Games gold medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil as the two vaulted to the same height on their second attempt. Both Obiena and Braz went for 5.90m but failed on all three tries. Obiena though will have several more chances to improve as he has at least three events on his calendar before flying to Tokyo. It was the third outdoor gold for Obiena and fifth overall this year after snaring two indoor mints in Berlin and Dortmund last February. Obiena is seeking to snare the country’s first medal in the sport since Miguel White copped a 400m hurdles bronze in the 1936 Berlin Games.

Source: Philippine Star June 28, 2021 06:22 UTC