EJ Obiena snags bronze in Beijing pole vault meet

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena secured a bronze medal in the World Athletics Continental Tour in Beijing, China, with a leap of 5.65 meters.

He placed behind China's Tao Zhong (gold) and the United States' Cole Walsh (silver), both of whom cleared 5.75 meters, with Zhong winning on countback.

This event served as a warm-up for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled from September 13 to 21.

Obiena, who finished fourth in the 2024 Paris Olympics and won a silver medal in the 2023 World Athletics Championships with a Philippine and Asian record of 6.00 meters, is aiming for more success.

He also won a silver medal in the Meeting Madrid in Spain on July 19, clearing 5.80 meters.

Obiena is currently ranked No. 7 in the world men's pole vault rankings.

Following the championships, he is scheduled to compete in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati from September 20 to 21.