EJ Obiena is in high spirits as he competes in the 62nd Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, his final tune-up tournament before the qualification period for the 2024 Paris Olympics begins in July.
Action kicks off at 11 p.m. (Manila time) at the Mestsky Stadion in Ostrava with Obiena going up against nine pole vaulters from around the world.
World champion and record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden banners the 10-man tourney with Piotr Lisek of Poland, Kurtis Marschall of Australia, Thibaut Collet of France and Emmanouil Karalis of Greece joining as well.
Hometown bets David Holy and Dan Barta along with Simon Guttormsen and Pal Haugen Lillefose of Norway complete the competitors in the tourney that is also part of the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Interestingly, Americans Chris Nilsen, Sam Kendricks and KC Lightfoot are not in the start list as well as Obiena’s training partner in Thiago Braz of Brazil.
Obiena, 27, is beaming with confidence as he heads into his final tourney before shooting for a slot in the Paris Olympics via the BAUHAUS-galan in Stockholm on 2 July. He needs to hit at least 5.82 meters to make a return to the Summer Games.
“I don’t think I should be worried unless I get hurt,” Obiena told Daily Tribune, looking forward to duplicating his victory over Duplantis in the Diamond League in Brussels last year in which he registered 5.91 meters.
“But I believe in the ability that I have and I believe in the work that I put in that I should be able to do it if I stay the course.”
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary general Edward Kho said pitting Obiena against Duplantis before the Olympic qualifiers would be a big boost to his confidence.
“Well, joining this tournament is more of an appetizer for EJ. It would be the same approach that EJ’s team is taking so that when it comes to performing at the right competition, he will be ready,” Kho told Daily Tribune in a phone conversation.
“It’s like a rehearsal for the big event he will participate in, especially in the events that will begin on 1 July.”
