Podium landing for EJ

It wasn’t the best finish that pole vaulter EJ Obiena had in mind but clearing 5.65m to claim the bronze at the ISTAF Indoor Championships, a World Athletics Tour Silver, in Dusseldorf, Germany, last Saturday was still a creditable first step in his bid to reclaim a top 10 ranking.

- By JOAQUIN HENSON

Obiena went up against seven vaulters, including three top 10 contenders, and failed to clear 5.70m thrice to settle for third place. His ranking dropped from No. 2 to No. 11 last year due to health issues. World No. 5 Menno Vloon of the Netherlands took the gold with a 5.75m jump and tried to clear 5.85m thrice but failed. World No. 4 Sam Kendricks of the US registered 5.70m to bag the silver after missing 5.75m once and 5.80m twice. Vloon’s personal best is 5.96m, compared to