Obiena returns to world’s top 10 in pole vault

Noah Barro

Philippine pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena climbed back to the world’s top 10 in the men’s pole vault, rising to No. 10 with 1,320 points after more than two years outside the elite rankings.

Obiena previously reached a career-high No. 2 in July 2023 before injury setbacks saw him slip out of the top 10.

His comeback was bolstered by a gold-medal finish at the 20th Asian Games, where he cleared 5.91 meters to defend his title and set a new Asian Games record.

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, the world-record holder and reigning Olympic champion, continues to lead the rankings with 1,561 points, ahead of Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis (1,475) and Australia’s Kurtis Marschall (1,405).

Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen ranks fourth with 1,398 points, ahead of American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, who completes the top five with 1,367.

Obiena endured a string of tough performances and an injury-ridden stretch due to a spinal fracture, prompting the Filipino Olympian to mark an early end to his 2024 season.