SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Obiena Opens Outdoor Season With Silver In Dusseldorf, Eyes Doha Diamond League
Screengrab from EJ Obiena IG
Filipino pole vault star Ernest John Obiena kicked off his 2026 outdoor season with a silver-medal finish at the Eurowings Flight Circus in Düsseldorf, Germany, clearing 5.74 meters in his first outdoor competition of the year.
American Chris Nilsen topped the event with a clearance of 5.83m, while Qatar's Seifeldin Abdelsalam settled for bronze after clearing 5.65m.
Despite challenging conditions, Obiena delivered a strong performance to open his campaign. In a social media post after the competition, the Filipino Olympian said he had to battle "swirling winds" throughout the meet but was pleased with the overall result.
The podium finish marks a promising start to the season for Obiena, who recently relocated his training base to Athens, Greece and began working with a new coach as he looks to climb back among the world's top-ranked pole vaulters.
Adding to the positive atmosphere, Obiena also received enthusiastic support from Filipino fans in attendance, who cheered him on throughout the competition.
With momentum on his side, Obiena now turns his attention to the Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar on June 19, where he is expected to face another elite field as the international outdoor season continues.
American Chris Nilsen topped the event with a clearance of 5.83m, while Qatar's Seifeldin Abdelsalam settled for bronze after clearing 5.65m.
Despite challenging conditions, Obiena delivered a strong performance to open his campaign. In a social media post after the competition, the Filipino Olympian said he had to battle "swirling winds" throughout the meet but was pleased with the overall result.
The podium finish marks a promising start to the season for Obiena, who recently relocated his training base to Athens, Greece and began working with a new coach as he looks to climb back among the world's top-ranked pole vaulters.
Adding to the positive atmosphere, Obiena also received enthusiastic support from Filipino fans in attendance, who cheered him on throughout the competition.
With momentum on his side, Obiena now turns his attention to the Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar on June 19, where he is expected to face another elite field as the international outdoor season continues.
Jun 15, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
