BUDAPEST, Aug. 26 (silubaba) -- Being in the same era with Armand Duplantis (known as Mondo) as a pole vaulter is a bitter-sweet privilege, said Filipino Ernest John Obiena who just lost another head-to-head to the Swede here on Saturday.
But what the Asian record holder had in mind all the evening at the world championships final was to beat the unbeatable and to take a gold medal home.
"Yes, that was what I wanted to do today, and that was why I skipped 6.05[m] and went to the 6.10[m]," Obiena recalled his decision after he cleared the height of 6.00m, which equals the Asian record that was created by himself in June.
"But you know, he is Mondo [Duplantis]. Today he is the best. I just need to keep working," said Obiena.
The two-time Asian champion was the only one left to challenge Duplantis when the bar was raised to 6.05m. He fell short with his first jump, with Duplantis continuing his perfect streak in the final by clearing the mark on the first attempt.
The Filipino then gave up the two more tries on 6.05m, a height he had never jumped over before, but took the challenge to Duplantis by moving the bar to 6.10m.
He lost the gamble after failing with his two final jumps, and the Swede sealed the gold medal by soaring over the mark on his first jump.
"It might be the first time that someone jumped six meters but only ended up second right? I don't know if I should be happy about that or sad," said Obiena with laughter. "The quality of the final is incredible. It's such a close race. I'm happy to have silver on my neck."
Obiena finished with 5.94m to bag a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships, where Duplantis took his first world title with a record-breaking performance of 6.21m.
The Swede's victory last year also marked the fourth time that the men's pole vault gold medalist had finished over six meters since the first edition of the World Championships in 1983.
"I wouldn't be pushing as hard as I am if Mondo doesn't exist. It's a good thing to have him in this era. The bad thing is that it's harder to win. But what he's done for the sport is truly amazing," said Obiena.
Duplantis also felt the pressure that came from the other medalists, whom he regarded as motivation for him to perform flawlessly in every attempt.
"I'm not that disappointed [to miss out on the world record at the World Championships] because it seemed like [the bronze medalist] Chris [Nilsen], EJ [Obiena] and [the other bronze medalist] Kurtis [Marschall], they were all in very good shape and they're all guys that can jump six meters," said Duplantis.
"And for EJ to do that [clear 6.00m], especially on the first attempt puts a lot of pressure on me. I've got to really go out there and get it done. I'm glad I was able to do it," he added.
Obiena also agreed that the pole vault event is growing as the records have been refreshed and new faces keep emerging. He nodded when asked about whether he would be able to catch up with Duplantis.
"That's the plan, right? That's why I'm still here and still pushing, that's why I will keep working hard." ■
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