POLE vaulter Ernest John Obiena capped his outdoor European season on a triumphant note on Monday night), clearing 5.81 meters to top an elite field in the Gala dei Castelli meet in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Exuding confidence, Obiena needed only two jumps in registering his sixth win in eight competitions, beating American Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Chris Nielsen and 2012 London Olympic champion Renauld Lavillenie of France.
Nielsen, Lavillenie, along with American Jacob Wooten, had identical jumps of 5.71 meters, with the former clinching the silver medal on the countback while the last two shared the bronze medal.
For his last hurrah, Obiena made a bid anew to break his Asian and national record of 5.94 meters set last July with his bronze-medal finish in the world meet in Eugene, Oregon but failed to clear 5.95 meter in three tries.
“Capped this season with a (sic) back-to-back win and a meeting record in @galadeicastelli yesterday,” Obiena said on his official Facebook page. “Now is the time for rest and regroup for next year. Mandatory post-season post coming soon.
