By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
World No. 2 EJ Obiena is scheduled to compete in three indoor tournaments in a two-week period starting next week as part of his buildup for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The two-time Asian champion will first see action in the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Osijek, Croatia on Feb. 20, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze type of event which places the competition among the world’s largest athletics meetings.
After the Croatia meet, Obiena will travel to Berlin, Germany for the ISTAF Indoor on Feb. 23 where he hopes to eclipse his last year’s performance of 5.82 meters for silver medal behind world record hold Armand Duplantis of Sweden (6.06m).
The Berlin tournament, an Indoor Tour Silver type event, is expected to be a springboard for Obiena in his campaign at the World Indoor Championship is slated in Glasgow, Scotland on March 3.
This would be the first time that Obiena is competing in the world indoor tilt, which will gather some of the world’s finest pole vaulters.
“Better late than never… right? Joining the indoor season party next week,” Obiena wrote in social media, referring to his latest schedule after the indoor season started last month.
Obiena, who has been training extensively in Italy, finished tied for 11th during the Tokyo Games. He managed only 5.70meters that time.
But he has since improved after that debacle as he joined the 6.00meter club last year that saw him win the Asian Games and Asian Championships golds.
