Italy-based Ernest “EJ” John Obiena has erased doubts on how far he can go.
But the 26-year-old Obiena believes that he can go further after taking on the world’s best and claiming the bronze medal two weeks ago in the men’s pole vault action in the 2022 World Athletics Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
On Saturday, the 6’2” Obiena will be back in action in the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, which is the ninth leg of the Diamond League at the Stadion Śląski in Chorzow, Poland.
“It (bronze medal) solidifies what I already knew, that I’m capable of competing with the best in the world. Fact is, a lot of things happened this year and I did not know if I was going to be able to compete and if I can represent the Philippines,” said Obiena.
Now ranked no. 3 in the world, Obiena will once again face Swedish wonder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis and American Chris Nilsen and seek podium finishes in their presence.
In Oregon, Duplantis ruled the competition in the absence of two-time champion Sam Kendricks of the United States and made 6.21 meters in two tries for a new world record and the gold.
The Tondo, Manila-born Obiena has cleared 5.94 meters on his second try in the said tournament, allowing him to surpass his highest leap of 5.93 meters he set last year in the 2021 Golden Rooftop Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria.
This time, Obiena will once again seek to clear 6.0 meters, a height which he missed in Oregon.
Obiena said there are many obstacles and situations, which almost derailed his progress this year and this included his liquidation issues, knee injury and his bout with COVID-19.
“They may be blessings in disguise. But my approach to them is to just move forward,” added Obiena.