THE country’s top pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is expected to bounce back next year.
The 29-year-old Obiena has fallen from the world rankings after his stint in the Paris Olympics, but has recovered from a back injury in the months that followed.
Since the second week of September, Obiena has slipped from world no. 2 to no. 3, and then to fourth spot as he took his time off from competitions and focused on his recovery.
Obiena is currently behind the top-ranked Armand Duplantis of Sweden in the World Athletcs rankings.
Sam Kendricks of the United States has assumed the no. 2 spot, followed by Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis at no. 3.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano said he has monitored Obiena’s progression and is upbeat of his bid to get back on his feet in 2025.
“We have been supporting EJ quietly. We have been talking to him about his recovery. I have been with him through two world championships already,” said Capistrano.
Since the last week of October, Obiena has fully healed from the lower back injury he sustained during the Silesia leg of the Diamond League, where he finished fifth in August.
In the first week of January, Obiena is expected to start training for the indoor athletics’ season in Europe and join the World Indoor Championships in March.
“My understanding is that he’s fully (recovered) and he’s gonna get to competition and will be in the World Indoors,” added Capistrano.
In the meantime, Obiena has made progress in his plans to put up pole-vaulting pits around the country, the most recent of which was at the Marcos Stadium in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
