In the heart of Budapest, beneath the vast skies of Hungary, the Filipino flag soars with pride as EJ Obiena, the Philippines’ star pole vaulter from Tondo, Manila, takes center stage, embarking on a journey for back-to-back medals at the World Athletics Championships.
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, in the vastness of the National Athletics Centre, the air will buzz with anticipation as Ernest John “EJ” Obiena ascends to the Men’s Pole Vault Final, after securing a chance to once again etch his name into sports history.
Eyes fixed on improving his previous year’s historic bronze medal finish in Oregon, where he stood shoulder to shoulder with legends Armand Duplantis of Sweden and Christopher Nielsen of the USA, Obiena finds himself on the brink of an epic rematch. The world’s top three vaulters have set the stage, locked in joint first place after clearing the 5.75-meter qualifying mark, along with ten other fearless competitors.
The Philippines' EJ Obiena is advancing to the Men's Pole Vault Final in a rematch with fellow Oregon medalists Mondo Duplantis and Christ Nielsen for the gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Full story @GoodNewsPinas_ @ejobienapv @WorldAthletics @wabudapest23 https://t.co/jjemDlplGZ
— Angie Quadra Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) August 24, 2023
Medal-streaking World No. 3 EJ Obiena’s confidence resonated throughout the arena during the qualifiers on Wednesday, August 23. With surgical precision, he cleared 5.55m and 5.75m in just single attempts, his pole bending gracefully before releasing him into a triumphant flight. In contrast, World No. 1 Duplantis and World No. 2 Nielsen labored with three and four jumps respectively.
The podium beckons, but the road is fraught with challenges. Fierce contenders like Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, France’s Thibaut Collet, Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, and others are determined to make their mark. Each vaulter, with eyes gleaming and muscles coiled, will be a study in determination and skill. As the final round approaches, the excitement builds to a fever pitch. The world watches, breathless, as these world-class athletes take to the sky, each leap a breathtaking dance of power, grace, and ambition.
Join us in cheering for EJ Obiena as he vies for another medal, representing the spirit and pride of the Philippines on the global stage. The countdown to glory has begun.
Here’s how to track the live results as EJ Obiena competes on Saturday, August 26, at 8 PM Philippine Standard Time (2 PM Budapest Time).
WATCH EJ soar in this video and SHARE this inspiring story with fellow Filipinos and sports enthusiasts around the world. Let’s rally behind EJ Obiena and celebrate the excellence and dedication that define our nation’s athletes. Click the share button now, and let’s make our voices heard!
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