EJ Obiena ends 2024 campaign due to stress fracture

EJ Obiena has announced an early end to his 2024 campaign due to a stress fracture in his L5 vertebra, discovered during the Silesia leg of the Diamond League.

Obiena shared on social media that he finished fifth at Silesia and will cancel planned competitions including ISTAF Berlin, Weltklasse Zurich, and potentially the Philippine Pole Vault competition scheduled for September 20th in Manila.

The pole vaulter had aimed to compete in three more events this year but decided to focus on recovery instead, aiming to return pain-free for the 2025 indoor season and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

A CAT scan confirmed his diagnosis of a fractured vertebra, requiring at least four weeks of healing time.

Obiena expressed hope that identifying the source of his back problems this year will allow him to return even stronger next year and thanked supporters for their continued support.