EJ Obiena wins gold in Croatia to begin 2024 season

EJ Obiena claims the gold medal at Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia to begin his 2024 campaign.–Photo from EJ Obiena’s Instagram

MANILA, Philippines–EJ Obiena kicked off his indoor season campaign in triumph by asserting himself in the Memorial Josip Gasparac on Wednesday in Osijek, Croatia.

Obiena, the world No. 2 pole vaulter, cleared 5.83 meters in his victory warmup for the coming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

“Indoor season (has) finally kicked off. 5.83 for the win here,” Obiena posted on his Instagram.

READ: EJ Obiena goes through tests to determine Paris Olympics readiness

Portugal’s Pedro Buaro placed second with 5.73 meters and American Olen Tray Oates claimed the bronze medal in 5.61.

Next stop for the Paris Olympics-bound Obiena, the Asian record holder of six meters, is the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin Germany on Friday.

“Thank you for having us and putting on a great atmosphere,” said Obiena.

The gold medal was Obiena’s first for the year since the Filipino ruled his event in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China September last year.

After the Berlin meet, Obiena will bring his act to the Glasgow worlds on March 1-3 where the top vaulters in the globe led by world champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden are expected to compete.