IN a huge boost to his Olympic campaign, Ernest John Obiena rose four rungs to an all-time personal best of No. 6 in the latest World Athletics men’s pole vault rankings released last Tuesday.
Swedish-American sensation Mondo Duplantis remained No. 1, followed by 2019 American world champion Sam Kendricks, while Poland’s Piotr Lisek, 2012 London Olympic gold medalist Renauld Lavillenie and American Chris Nilsen were ranked Nos. 3 to 5, respectively.
No other Filipino track and field athlete has ranked this high in the ratings — not even legendary Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega or 400-meter standout Isidro del Prado — since they were first instituted by the world athletics body in 1979.
Brazilian Rio Olympic Games gold medalist Tiago Braz, Obiena’s training partner at the World Athletics elite training camp in Formia, Italy, stood one spot below the athlete at No. 7.
Duplantis, 21, who holds the world record of 6.18 meters and topped the Bauhaus Galan meet in his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden with a meet record of 6.02 meters over the weekend, is the overwhelming favorite to clinch the gold medal in Tokyo.
Obiena, 25, posted the latest ratings on his Facebook account yesterday, saying he is working doubly hard to be considered a serious threat to Duplantis and the other medal contenders in the event opening with the qualifiers on July 31 at the Japan National Stadium. The top 12 qualifiers advance to the finals on Aug. 3.
“The Olympics is very near and no one can predict the results, but rest assured that the fighting spirit is very much alive. We will proudly not just represent the Philippines but fight for its glory. I rest it all to you (God),” Obiena said.
“Pursue your passion and prepare to work hard, real hard. Work continues but this fills me with inspiration and gratitude” Obiena added. “Thank you to all who keep believing, who keep hope alive in their hearts, who keep praying to God for His mercy and grace.”
Among those who congratulated Obiena on his latest accomplishment is his Dubai-based fitness and conditioning trainer Jim Lafferty, an athletic coach who once worked as a top corporate executive for several years in Manila.
