PH pole vaulter EJ Obiena qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

FILE – EJ Obiena bags a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. —AFP

Pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena cleared 5.81 meters in a tournament in Chiara, Italy late Tuesday to earn a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

READ: Ernest Obiena plucks another pole vault gold medal in Italy

The reigning Asian champion reset his own personal best and national record of 5.76 meters achieved early this year plus a sure seat in the national team bound for Tokyo, according to athletics chief Philip Ella Juico.

Juico said Obiena’s attempt surpassed the Olympic standard of 5.80 meters.

The 6-foot-1 Obiena, who also reset his Philippine record, cleared the height on his third and last attempt, beating five other rivals for the gold medal.