PH’s EJ Obiena rises to world No. 5 in pole vault

Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—EJ Obiena climbed to the fifth spot in the pole vaulting rankings of World Athletics following his silver medal in the Paris leg of the Wanda Diamond League.

The Filipino Olympian was previously at sixth place entering the Tokyo Olympics, where he failed to make it to the podium, but has now accumulated 1,361 points to get to rise one spot.

Obiena set the new Philippine record in the Meeting de Paris when he cleared 5.91 meters and broke his own 5.87m mark from July 2020 en route to the meet’s silver medal.

“World no.5. An ordinary man guided by God’s extraordinary grace. I may not meet the expectation of all, but I keep trying,” wrote Obiena on his Facebook page.

“Thank you for all the prayers and support. The journey continues and I am proud to carry the nation with me. Getting there.”

Obiena also placed fifth in Lausanne, Switzerland in his first event after the Tokyo Games.

Olympic gold medalist Armand Duplantis, who also holds the world record at 6.18 meters, of Sweden holds the top spot in World Athletics’ table with 1,538 points.

He also took the gold in Paris when he cleared 6.01m, which also became the event’s record.

RELATED STORIES

EJ Obiena says Tokyo Olympics miss still ‘hard pill to swallow’

EJ Obiena establishes himself among PH’s greatest ever

Christopher Nilsen of the United States is at second with 1,423 points while compatriot Sam Kendricks is at third with 1,393 points.

France’s Renaud Lavillenie is at fourth with 1,380 points.