Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena claimed the gold medal in the International Stadionfest (ISTAF) Berlin on September 3, Sunday (early Monday, September 4 in Manila).

Following a last-spot finish of 5.60m in the recent Wanda Diamond League in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday (Friday in Manila), the Thomasian alumnus rebounded big time with a 5.92m clear in three attempts to claim the top spot of the outdoor tournament.

“Finally, the @istaf_indoor [ISTAF indoor] trophy would have its bigger brother, @istaf_berlin [ISTAF Berlin] trophy after three years,” Obiena said in his Facebook post.

Obiena had a consistent showing, leaping over heights of 5.52, 5.72, and 5.82 to stay ahead of the pack until finally outlasting his competitors on his third attempt at 5.92m.

Eager to surpass the six-meter threshold once more, Obiena attempted to clear 6.01m but came short on all attempts.

Behind Obiena, Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen took the tournament’s silver medal, besting American KC Lightfoot who settled for bronze on countback.

Obiena’s rival and World’s No.3 Christopher Nilsen of USA sits at the fourth spot of the tournament only clearing 5.72m.

This is Obiena’s best finish in his three years of coming short in the same tournament, settling only for silver in 2022 and a fourth-place finish via countback behind current bronze finisher KC Lightfoot back in 2021.