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 4×400 meter relay team that won the gold medal in the recent 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Also in the list are Williams’ relay teammates Michael del Prado, Frederick Ramirez and Joyme Sequita.
Joining them are women’s relay specialists Maureen Schrijvers, Robyn Brown, Bernalyn Bejoy and Jessel Lumapas.
Sonny Wagdos will see action in the men’s 5000- and 10000-meter runs, while John Cabang Tolentino will compete in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with Clinton Bautista.
SEA Games’ eight-time gold medalist Eric Cray is competing in the men’s 400-meter hurdles.
Janry Ubas (high jump), William Morrison (shotput), Aries Toledo (decathlon) and Arlan Arbois (10,000 meters) will also join the team.