Italy-based Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena finds himself orbiting alongside a galaxy of stars when he competes in the Oslo Bislett Games on Friday (Manila time) at the Bislett Stadion in Norway.
Obiena, rated No. 3 in the world, is coming off an impressive showing at the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Jump Challenge in Bergen, also in Norway, and finally reaching the six-meter mark for the first time in his career.
Also expected to join the tournament are world champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden, Americans Chris Nilsen and Sam Kendricks, Ben Broeders of Belgium, 2012 London Olympics champion Renaud Lavillenie, Bo Kanda Lita Baehre of Germany and hometown bets Simon Guttormsen, Sondre Guttormsen and Pal Haugen Lillefose.
Being a Diamond League event, the Oslo Bislett gives out points depending on the finish in their respective events with eight points being the highest number given to the winner.
Each meet also gives out cash incentives to the top eight finishers assured of $500 (P27,967) and the winner guaranteed $10,000 (P560,000).
‘There’s still a lot of work to do.’
The top six finishers after 14 meets will fly to Eugene, Oregon for the Wanda Diamond League final on 16 to 17 September at the University of Oregon, the first time the grand championships take place outside Europe.
In the past, Switzerland, Belgium and Croatia played host to the finals.
The overall winner of the Wanda Diamond League will receive $30,000 (P1,678,905).
Despite already hitting the elusive height of six meters, Obiena is looking to stay sharp in these tournaments as he is aiming for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“There’s still a lot of work to do. I see this as one of the marks I needed to surpass and looking at that jump, there are still a lot of things I need to work on. Definitely need to be more consistent moving forward,” Obiena said.
Obiena is also slated to compete at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Pattaya Thailand from 12 to 16 July and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October.
The Olympic qualifying period begins on 1 July.
