Obiena seeks finals berth in World Championships

FILIPINO pole vault ace Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is set to compete anew in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The pride of Tondo battles in the 35-man elimination round set at the National Athletics Center today, August 23.

Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

Competition starts at 4:15 p.m. (Manila time), with the qualifiers advancing to the finals on August 27.

Obiena looks to replicate or top his bronze medal finish in last year’s edition of the world meet in Eugene, Oregon, where he became the first Filipino to podium in the tournament’s history.

It would be no easy task for Obiena, the Asian record holder of 6.0 meters.

This, as reigning Olympic and World champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden, the world no. 1 and record holder, is also in the competition.

American Christopher Nilsen, who overtook Obiena in the men’s pole vault world rankings, is likewise in the field.

From No. 3 in the world, Obiena rose to second last month but Nilsen overtook him as they switched places anew recently.

American Sam Kendricks, Aussie Kurtis Marschall, Norwegian Sondre Gottormsen, Polish Piotr Lisek, and Dutch Menno Vloon, the world No. 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 pole vaulters, respectively, are also in the field.

Obiena, already qualified for the Paris Olympics next year, has yet to miss the podium this season, finishing at least top three in nine straight tournaments.

The 27-year-old’s last competition was in the Monaco leg of the Wanda Diamond League last month, placing second to Nilsen.