Obiena faces off with Duplantis

Ernest John Obiena is set to kick-off his outdoor campaign as he competes in the Xiamen leg of the Diamond League on 26 April at the Xiamen Egret Stadium in China.

The 29-year-old Obiena will be joining the 11-man field bannered by world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

Also in the mix are 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Sam Kendricks of the United States and bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece.

Completing the cast are Ben Broeders of Belgium, Kurtis Marschall of Australia, Ersu Sasma of Turkey, Menno Vloon of the Netherlands, Sondre Guttormsen of Norway, and home bets Huang Bokai and Li Chenyang.

Obiena has been training in the Philippines with Olympic coach Vitaly Petrov of Ukraine after taking a gold medal at the Taiwan International Pole Vault Championships last 2 April.

“Preparations and training have been done in the heat of the Philippines. It’s time to suit up and join the first leg of the Diamond League happening next week in Xiamen, China. Let’s get it!!!” Obiena said.

Obiena will be looking to make a good start in the Diamond League to rack up points and enter the final on 27 August in Zurich.

The Asian Games gold medalist missed the final last year after opting to rest after his fourth-place finish in the Paris Olympics.