MANILA, Philippines — Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena has secured a spot in the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, marking a return to the global meet after missing last year’s edition.
Obiena shared his excitement on Instagram, reflecting on the disappointment of failing to qualify previously and his determination to rebuild his form.
“Last year I missed, didn’t make the cut, grade or whatever is synonymous with ‘failing to qualify.’ That was a tough shake,” Obiena wrote. “Making this world indoors championship, one of the twelve vaulters, is a small step to a long road back.”
The two-time Olympian will not be the only Filipino competing in the championships. The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association announced that three more athletes will join him.
They include John Cabang Tolentino, who will compete in the 60-meter hurdles, and sprinters Jessica Laurance and Zion Corrales Nelson, who will run in the 60-meter dash.
Obiena heads into the competition fresh off a gold medal performance at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin, where he cleared a season-best 5.78 meters.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships are scheduled to begin next Friday and will run through the weekend.
