MAKING HIS Olympic debut, Filipino Pole Vaulter and World No. 6 EJ Obiena finished 10th in the Men’s Pole Vault preliminaries earlier today at the Olympic Stadium. As one of 11 contenders to clear a height of 5.75m, Obiena has secured himself a slot in the Men’s Pole Vault finals after three attempts at the said distance. 

Although the event’s starting height was at 5.30m, Obiena decided to begin participating at 5.50m to conserve his energy. While his competitors such as former pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie struggled to clear 5.50m, Obiena easily cleared this height on his first attempt.

Moving onto the bar’s next height of 5.65m, Obiena initially struggled on his first attempt due to miscalculations midway through his run-up, causing him to falter. Thankfully, the Filipino pole vaulter’s hesitation did not cause him a foul as he did not cross the zero line. After making the necessary adjustments, Obiena easily flew over 5.65m on his first try. 

However, Obiena fell off his momentum once the bar was raised to 5.75m upon receiving his first two fouls. Obiena failed his first attempt after his foot hit the bar on his way up, and his second attempt was unmerited as he ran past the zero line. Using his last attempt to stay in the competition, the Filipino Olympian made a comeback after his clean clearance of 5.75m—finishing 10th overall and securing himself a slot in the Men’s Pole Vault finals. 

With this performance, Obiena will advance to the finals where he will compete against world-class pole vaulters such as Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis and Brazil’s Thiago Braz. The Men’s Pole Vault Finals will be held on August 3 in the Olympic Stadium at 6:20 PM Manila time.