Asian post vault record-holder EJ Obiena looks for a spot in history as he goes for a breakthrough medal in the World Athletics Championships in his star-studded event that spreads out Saturday in Eugene, Oregon in the United States.
Obiena will be among the 32 members, including the strong Tokyo Olympic gold medalists and world record proprietor Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who are peering toward nothing under a platform finish.
The Southeast Asian Games champion was organized in the 16-man second group where he is the highest ranked being No. 6 on the planet with an individual and season-best record of 5.93 meters and 5.92m, respectively.
The other large guns like Duplantis, World No. 2 Christopher Nilsen of the US and 2016 Rio Games gold winner Thiago Braz of Brazil were drawn into the first group.
American Sam Kendricks, who bested the last edition in Doha a long time back, has skirted the occasion because of injury.
The qualification stage begins at 6:05 a.m. (Philippine time).
For Obiena to progress to the finals set Monday unfurling at 6:25 a.m. and have a shot at that historic medal for the country in the biennial meet, he would have to clear 5.80m or finish in the top 12.
There, assuming he makes it that far, Obiena will carry on his expansive shoulders the weighty obligation of achieving what no different competitors before him have done — convey the Philippines’ absolute first platform finish in the Worlds.
