Next stop, Paris Olympics for EJ Obiena

After a 4th place finish in Meeting de Paris, EJ Obiena now turns his attention to the Olympics
PHOTO: JEROME ASCANO

EJ OBIENA ranked fourth in the Meeting de Paris, his final competition before the 2024 Olympics.

Obiena registered 5.75 meters to end up in a tie with Emmanouil Karalis of Greece. However, the Filipino pole vaulter failed to advance after he could not clear 5.85 on two tries and 5.95 in his final attempt.

The Meeting de Paris is a Wanda Diamond League stop where he also saw the competitors of the event in the Olympics.

Defending Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Switzerland topped the event with a 6.00 followed by Sam Kendricks of the United States with a 5.95. Thibaut Collet of France took the third spot with a 5.85.

Obiena will soon join the Philippine delegation in nearby Metz where most of his fellow Olympic athletes are holding their training camp.

The 28-year-old Obiena is expected to podium in the Paris Olympic Games by virtue of his global ranking with Duplantis, who holds the world record of 6.24 meters, being the only one ahead of him.

Prior to the Meeting de Paris, Obiena was coming off back-to-back victories in Poland including a season-high 5.97 meters in the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Bydgoszcz.

He registered such mark after securing new poles after the old ones broke during a competition last May.