iskup2015 posted: " EJ Obiena jumps for historic podium finish By J.Lo "Normally, I only get to thank people when I win…well for me, being here in Eugene, set to compete in the final of the World Championships is already big win," Filipino Olympian pole vault" ISKUP!
"Normally, I only get to thank people when I win…well for me, being here in Eugene, set to compete in the final of the World Championships is already big win," Filipino Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena in a Facebook post jumps for historic podium finish in the World Athletics Championships final in Oregon, USA.
Not a single Filipino vaulter in the past has reached podium of the Worlds and Obiena will try to be the first to medal from Philippines in stacked field.
Obiena, the Asian record holder of 5.93 meters, is competing against world No. 1 and reigning Olympic champ Swedish-American Armand Duplantis, world No. 2 American Christopher Nilsen, and world No. 3 Brazilian Thiago Braz in the final.
The eight other pole vaulters in the final are world No. 7 French Renaud Lavillene, world No. 8 Belgian Ben Broders, Norwegians world No. 9 Paul Haugen Lillefosse and world No. 10 Sonde Guttormsen, world No. 17 German Bo Kanda Lita Baehre, world No. 18 Dutch Menno Vloon, world No. 21 German Oleg Zernikel, and world No. 24 Turkish Ersu Sasma.
World No. 6 Obiena did qualify in the final round after clearing 5.75 meters on Saturday to finish third in Group B and sixth overall. Only 12 out of 32 participants made the final.
Obiena said being able to compete in the Worlds is already a win for him, and he thanked everyone that helped him along the way.
"After all of the things that have happened; from missing my supposed first World Indoor Championship earlier this year; to contracting Covid-19 a few weeks back, we are here," added Obiena, who went on to thank his coach Vitaly Petrov, his team, sponsors, and sports governing bodies in the Philippines, and his countrymen.
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