Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena won a silver medal on Sunday, June 6, in the FBK Games held at the Blankers-Koen Stadion in Hengelo, the Netherlands
Obiena cleared 5.80 meters in his first attempt in order to secure second place in the tournament behind Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who currently holds the world record for men's pole vault.
Duplantis ruled the competition after clearing 6.10 meters while Menno Vloon of the Netherlands settled for third place after clearing 5.80 meters following multiple attempts.
Obiena recently won the gold medal in the men's pole vault event of the Folksam Grand Prix in Sweden after clearing 5.70 meters.
The 25-year old athlete has secured a spot the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo, Japan after surpassing 5.80 meter qualifying standard during an athletics meet in 2019 in Italy.
Aside from Obiena, other Filipino athletes who have qualified for the Olympics include weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, rower Cris Nievarez, and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa.
