By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena is not going to rest on his laurels when he returns to Europe after a successful title defense at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, Thailand over the weekend.
The 27-year-old Olympian said he is determined to earn more points to fuel his bid of seizing the world No. 2 ranking by joining more elite tournaments such as Diamond League legs.
“I think I am capable of doing more,” said Obiena in an online press briefing on Monday, July 17.
As of July 11, Obiena is currently ranked No. 3 in the world with 1422 ranking points – just one point behind second-ranked Chris Nilsen of the United States.
Tournaments such as Diamond League legs offer higher ranking points.
Obiena said improving his world ranking would not only boost his 2024 Paris Olympics preparations where he is already qualified, but would also continue his goal of bringing more glory to the country.
“I want to achieve this for the Philippines,” he said. “There are still a lot of things I need to do and accomplish before Paris.”
At the moment, Obiena has already set his sights on the Meeting Herculis EBS, which is the Monaco leg of the Diamond League.
Slated on Friday, July 21, the meet boasts of top pole vaulters that include world No. 1 Armand Duplantis, Nilsen and Sam Kendricks, to name a few.
Obiena will come there inspired from his Asian Championships stint, where he retained his title by resetting his own tournament record with a 5.91m performance.
