Ernest John Obiena swears he is in top shape for the Monaco leg of the Diamond League set Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Citing his current condition, Obiena insists he is upbeat that he will post better marks in the event compared to the previous legs.

“I feel good. I’m finally getting into the rhythm of things,” Obiena said in a virtual press conference following his formal announcement of the Ayala Atleta World Pole Vault Challenge that will be taking place on 20 and 21 September.

“Finally got that through out of the way and hopefully starts jumping where I believe I could be. I’m getting brutally honest. I don’t think I’m there yet where I was, but I’m definitely getting in the right direction.”

“So it’s a good place to definitely test where I’m at,” said the 29-year-old Italy-based vaulter.

After winning the gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea last May, Obiena experienced a slump when he headed back to Europe.

Obiena finished in fifth place in the HBK Games in the Netherlands last 10 June after going tallying 5.66 meters.

Then Obiena got a “No Mark”in the Oslo leg of the Diamond League on 13 June in Norway after failing to clear 5.62m.

He was able to tally 5.70m in the Stockholm leg but was overshadowed by home bet Armand Duplantis after he set a new world record of 6.28m.

Obiena said organizing for the World Pole Vault Challenge won’t get in the way of his training for the outdoor season.

“I can still focus on training. It’s not the first time I’m dealing with something else and then pole vaulting and I think it’s actually a good thing for me,” Obiena said.