After a series of gold achievements, EJ Obiena does not miss the podium in the Stockholm Diamond League where Armand Duplantis breaks his own outdoor record

MANILA, Philippines – EJ Obiena did not manage to carry the speed from his latest golden vaults when he finished sixth in the Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden on Thursday, June 30 (Friday, July 1, Manila time).

With a season-best 5.92 meters to lead the Taby Pole Vault Gala, also in Sweden two days ago, Obiena missed the podium after passing 5.73 meters in the meeting where Armand Duplantis broke the world record outdoors.

The Filipino star shot in height past 5.73 m in just one attempt, but faltered in his crack at 5.83 m when medalists Duplantis from Sweden in Tokyo, Chris Nilsen from the USA and Thiago Braz from Brazil topped the competition.

Duplantis – who holds the world record of 6.20 meters indoors – saw action at home and ran 6.16 meters to break his own world record outdoors of 6.15 meters which he broke almost two years ago.

Duplantis also made a world-leading mark and proved to be a cut above the rest as the only competitor that advanced past the six-meter height.

Braz and Nilsen both shot in height past 5.93 m, but the American took silver after needing only one attempt to cope with the height, while the Brazilian took two attempts.

Norway’s Pal Haugen Lillefosse from Norway and France’s Renaud Lavillenie finished fourth and fifth respectively with a clearance of 5.83 m.

Belgium’s Ben Broeders and Norges Guttormsen both recorded 5.63 m and shared seventh place.

The next step for Obiena is the World Athletics Championships which will be held in Oregon, USA from 15 to 24 July. – Rappler.com