Obiena skips indoor championships due to lack of qual. comp

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena announced on Tuesday that he will miss the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships due to a lack of qualifying competitions.

Obiena stated that while his back pain has improved and training is progressing well, recent results have been inconsistent, with his season best standing at 5.80 meters.

The athlete confirmed there are no more indoor competitions left for him to participate in before the qualification deadline on March 9, making it impossible to meet the entry standard of 5.85 meters.

Obiena emphasized that despite this setback, he remains focused on defending his titles in upcoming outdoor events including the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games.

He expressed confidence that he is in better shape than recent results indicate and aims to enter the outdoor season healthy and ready for these high-profile competitions.