By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
A Filipino is now the no. 2 ranked male pole vaulter in the world.
After a streak of podium finishes and several record-breaking performances to kick off the first half of the tournament playing calendar, Filipino superstar athlete EJ Obiena just reaped the fruits of his labor after becoming the second-best male pole vaulter confirmed last July 20, 2023.
According to the latest international pole vaulting ranking update by the World Athletics, Obiena just surpassed American stalwart Christopher Nilsen to move a place behind world no. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden.
Obiena now has a total of 1,432 points, only four points higher than USA’s Nilsen and 137 points behind Duplantis who amassed 1,569 to maintain his top rank.
“Your very own skinny kid from Tondo, alumni of CKSC and UST, is now WORLD NUMBER TWO,” Obiena posted on his official Facebook account.
It was a highlight-filled opening campaign from Obiena after ruling the recently concluded 2023 Asian Athletics Championships last July 16, 2023.
He pulled off a masterful performance during his routine and tallied a championship score of 5.91 meters.
Obiena was on his element from the get-go after successfully clearing 5.51m, 5.66m, and 5.80m all with just a single attempt.
One month ago, Obiena reset his previous Asian and national record during the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway while also taking home the gold medal.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympian finally overcame the challenge of cruising past the six-meter barrier and has been longing to surpass his 5.94-meter record for over a year now which he did in style after only needing one attempt to make history.
Despite all the achievements Obiena collected in just seven months, all his focus and attention are still set on the upcoming 2023 Paris Olympics.
Obiena became the first Filipino to clinch a seat at the Paris Olympics after putting up a strong performance during the Bauhaus-Galan meet of the 2023 Wanda Diamond League leg,
“Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and my deepest gratitude to those who went to war so that I could continue this dream. This is not just my accomplishment alone, but everyone’s,” Obiena added.
