EJ Obiena settles for silver in Germany meet after ‘rough day’

Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena reacts as he competes in the men’s pole vault during the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting, at the Letzigrund Stadium, in Zurich on August 27, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines— There’s no rest for the weary for EJ Obiena.

Fresh off winning gold at the ISTAF Berlin in Germany, Obiena followed it up with a silver medal finish at the 2026 Domspringen Wesel International Pole Vault Meeting on Wednesday.

Obiena cleared 5.75 meters to finish second among eight athletes.

The rigors of the season, though, eventually caught up with the two-time Olympian.

“Rough, rough day and tiredness eventually caught up after 6 competition this last 14 days,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“Took too many mistakes at the earlier bars and paid the price.”

France’s Robin Emig won gold after clearing 5.80m, while American Cole Walsh rounded out the podium with a 5.70m clearance.

Obiena has already qualified for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.

He continues his season as he also prepares to defend his Asian Games crown later this month.