At the top again: EJ Obiena claims 1st gold of 2025 in France

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Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena wins his first gold medal in eight months as he tops the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France

MANILA, Philippines – EJ Obiena rediscovered his winning form and captured his first gold medal of the year after ruling the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France on Saturday, February 8.

The Filipino pole vault star topped the eight-man competition via countback by clearing 5.70 meters in one try as he won a medal in his first two meets of 2025.

He bagged a silver in the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus in Germany in January in his first event in five months after a spine injury cut his 2024 season short.

It is the first golden finish for Obiena since he reigned supreme in the Memorial Czeslawa Cybulskiego in Poland in June.

Menno Vloon of the Netherlands also surpassed 5.70m in a single attempt but settled for silver after needing three tries to get past 5.60m.

Obiena, meanwhile, went perfect in his first two heights — 5.50m and 5.70m – before he committed three fouls at 5.85m with the gold already in the bag.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the USA clinched bronze with 5.60m.

From France, Obiena flies to Germany to compete in the ISTAF Indoor on Sunday, February 9, as he aims to defend his crown. – Rappler.com