THE law of averages caught Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena as the two-time Olympian settled for a silver medal at the Domspringen Wesel International Pole Vault Meeting in Germany, barely three days after winning gold in Berlin.
‘It was a rough day and [tiredness],’ said the Asian Games-bound Obiena, whose 5.75-meter effort landed him behind France’s Robin Emig (5.80m) and just enough over the US’s Cole Walsh (5.70m) on the podium.
He went for 5.85m but the environment at the Grober Mrkt in Wesel make him fail thrice.
‘Eventually caught up after six competitions this last 14 days [since August 17],’ the reigning Asian and Asian Games champion said. ‘So many mistakes at the earlier bars and paid the price.’
Obiena has nine gold medals from his indoor and outdoor campaign this season with his silver in Wesel his third since moving camp from Formia to Athens under a new coach and trainer.
But his most significant accomplishment was clearing 5.90m that didn’t merit a podium finish at the Zurich Wanda Diamond League last August 27, but a berth to next year’s world championships in Beijing.