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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider EJ Obiena glad to deliver bronze in 'toughest back to back'

EJ Obiena glad to deliver bronze in 'toughest back to back'

Published Feb 10, 2026 03:29 pm
(EJ Obiena FB post)
(EJ Obiena FB post)
Even with a brief rest, two-time Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena delivered in what he called his “toughest back-to-back” after winning a bronze at the INIT Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe in Germany over the weekend.
Despite only being fueled with an in-flight meal and a nap, Obiena, 30, reached the podium after clearing 5.70 meters, enough to snare the third spot which was a fitting follow-up to his gold-medal win in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championship in Tianjin, China.
“Running on airplane food and a couple hours of shut eye. Thankful and blessed to walk away with the bronze here @indoormeetingkarlsruhe,” said Obiena.
“Definitely the toughest back to back I have ever done and hopefully would ever do,” he added.
The world No. 11 finished behind Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen (5.84m) and American Cole Walsh (5.78m), who copped the gold and silver medals, respectively,
The Asian king also expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the competition.
“Thank you so much @indoormeetingkarlsruhe for the smooth transfer from the airport to the hotel. Got the much needed nappy minutes,” Obiena concluded.
A day before his bronze win in Germany, the Tondo, Manila native secured his first-ever gold in the Asian meet.
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