Philippines’ EJ Obiena gestures in the men’s pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 24, 2022. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — EJ Obiena tallied a new career-high in the World Athletics rankings, rising to No.3 pole vaulter.
Fresh from his historic bronze medal finish in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, the Filipino ace rose from world No.6 to third best and still the first in Asia.
Obiena set a new national and Asian record in the tournament last weekend with 5.94 meters.
He garnered 1408 points. World record holder Armand Duplantis remained the world No.1 with 1612 points followed by Christopher Nilsen at No. 2 with 1435 points.
It was Obiena’s highest world ranking since ranking No.5 last year.
Obiena will compete in the Diamond League next.
Aside from the bronze in the worlds, the Filipino Olympian won six gold medals this year and a silver in the Perch Elite Tour in France last March.