EJ Obiena out of World Athletics Championships, Robyn Brown to carry PH hopes

Filipino pole vault ace EJ Obiena has been eliminated in the qualification round of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, leaving hurdler Robyn Brown as the country's sole flag carrier.

Brown, the 2023 Asian champion, will compete in the women's 400m hurdles preliminaries aiming to qualify for the semifinals.

To advance, she needs to secure a Top 4 finish in her heat or achieve a competitive time to be considered for wildcard spots.

However, Brown faces a significant challenge as she is the lowest-ranked competitor in her heat at No. 63.

Her heat includes formidable opponents such as Femke Bol of the Netherlands, the reigning world champion and Olympic medalist, along with other highly ranked hurdlers from Italy, Belgium, Bahrain, and South Africa.