MANILA, Philippines — World No. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena failed to clear the qualifying mark of 5.85m for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China, on March 21-23 and will focus on regaining his timing in training to prepare for the outdoor season.
Obiena, 29, ended his 2024 campaign late last August and after over a four-month layoff to heal from a stress fracture in his spine, came back to soar 5.65m for second place in Cottbus, Germany, last Jan. 29. Then, he took gold with a 5.70m leap in Metz, France, last Feb. 8 but dropped to seventh on a 5.55m clearance in Dusseldorf, Germany the next day. Obiena jumped 5.60m to finish ninth in Lievin, France, last Feb. 13 and three days later, cleared 5.80m for first in Torun, Poland. He was listed as an Outside Competitor (OC) in a meet in Estonia last Feb. 22, his final bid to qualify for Nanjing. Obiena registered 5.65m, good for first but he was ineligible for gold as only Estonians could land a podium finish. That closed his bid for a ticket to Nanjing even as the No. 12 qualifier cleared 5.82, short of the qualifying standard.
PATAFA president Terry Capistrano said he advised Obiena to move on and not stress over failing to qualify. “Move on to the Asian Championships in Gumi, Korea and the World Championships in Tokyo in September,” he said. Obiena is the defending champion in the Asian meet, clearing 5.91m for gold in Bangkok in 2023. The next Asian competition is on May 27-31. Obiena took silver with a jump of 6.00 at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023 and the next conclave is on Sept. 13-21.
PATAFA secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco said the cut-off to qualify for Nanjing is on March 9 and Obiena’s next competition will be the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden, on March 13. “Finalized na ng Team EJ, wala na talaga competition prior to deadline,” he said.
Obiena’s adviser Jim Lafferty said the travel took a toll. “EJ’s health is great,” he noted. “His speed is at an all-time best. It just takes time to get his timing back. He needs reps, not constant travel. Just have to work on timing. All this traveling for competitions doesn’t allow him time to just vault and work on timing. It’s trying to find the right mix. We’re going to focus on the outdoor season. That’s where the all-important Asian Championships, World Championships and SEA Games take place.” (J. Henson/Philstar)
