Pole vaulter EJ Obiena. —AFP FILE
MANILA, Philippines—EJ Obiena won’t be taking part in two upcoming tournaments due to COVID-19.
Obiena was supposed to compete in the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway on Thursday and the Meeting de Paris in France on Sunday.
“The reason why I’m missing those two competitions, unfortunately, is COVID. I contracted COVID a few days ago and I’m quarantining here right now in Formia at home,” the pole vault star announced on his Instagram Tuesday.
Less than a month ago, Obiena won gold in the European City of Sports in L’Aquila with a 5.85m clearance.
The 26-year-old Obiena expects to make his return at the BAUHAUS-galan 2022 on June 30 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Obiena, who successfully defended his Southeast Asian Games title last month with ease, holds the Asian record at 5.93 meters.
World record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden will compete in the Bislett Games where he is a cinch to take home the gold. Duplantis improved his record mark to 6.20m last March to win the world indoor title in Belgrade.