ERNEST John “EJ” Obiena landed seventh place after clearing 5.70 meters at the BAUHAUS-galan meet in Stockholm early Monday (Manila time).
Obiena, who once again used borrowed sticks to compete as his new set of equipment has yet to arrive, leapt to a height of 5.70m on his second attempt and missed clearing 5.80 in three ties.
“Not my day today. 5.70m here in the wonderful @bauhausgalan. Thank you for the boys for lending me some sticks to jump on,” said Obiena in a social media post.
Tokyo Olympics’ champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden went on to claim the gold medal after clearing 6.0 meters in the seventh leg of the Diamond League.
Sam Kendricks of the United States got the silver medal at 5.90m, while his teammate KC Lightfoot cleared 5.80m for the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, retired Olympian Ed Lasquete is set to make a trip to Formia, Italy to help deliver Obiena’s new set of poles.
“Once in Europe, all the travel of the poles will be done by car to reduce any possibility of damage,” said Lasquete in an interview with the Manila Standard.
Two new sets of poles have been acquired for Obiena.
The new gear will reach Obiena’s hands within the week, after Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano and Lasquete, acquired new equipment for him.
The move to provide Obiena new equipment came after he broke two poles while competing and preparing for two competitions last week.