High hopes for Obiena, PH bets in Asian meet

By Peter Atencio

EXPECTATIONS remain high for world no. 3 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena as he joins a 23-member national squad competing in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championship in Pattaya, Thailand next month.

Last Saturday, Obiena accomplished one of his primary goals as he cleared the height of 6.0 meters to earn the gold medal in the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway.

The 27-year-old Obiena became the 24th pole vaulter to achieve the rare feat after he did it in one attempt during the meet.

Now that Obiena has breached the 6-meter height, consistency will be his objective as he prepares to make another crack at the big one—the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Part of his buildup as he seeks to qualify in the Olympiad is the Asian, set from July 12 to 16, where he will be joined in—the roster by Umajesty Williams and members of the national men’s 4x400 meter relay team that won the gold medal in the recent 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom