After a banner year, Ernest John Obiena makes a return as he competes in three events to mark the start of his indoor season campaign.
The 28-year-old Obiena will be back in action against quality opponents bannered by world record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden, Christopher Nilsen and KC Lightfoot of the United States, and Kurtis Marschall of Australia.
He will kick off his indoor campaign at the Memorial Josip Gašparac in Osijek, Croatia on 20 February in a bid to gain points needed for a strong finish in the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze series.
“Better late than never… right? Joining the indoor season party next week in Osijek, Croatia,” Obiena posted on social media.
Then, the world No. 2 pole vaulter will go to Germany for the ISTAF Berlin on 23 February where he got a silver medal last year after clearing 5.82 meters.
Obiena is also set to compete in the 2024 World Indoor Championship in Glasgow, Scotland from 1 to 3 March for the first time in his career.
Obiena will be marching into the new season oozing with confidence following a successful campaign last year where he won the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games gold medals in record-breaking fashion.
But more than that, he was finally able to clear the six-meter barrier and emerged as the first Filipino to book a slot in the Paris Olympics, which is set to open on 26 July.
Obiena said he wants to come up with a strong performance in indoor events to further boost his confidence as he shoots for the country’s second gold medal in the Summer Games.
