Obiena embraces challenge after world ranking dip

A drop to No. 11 in the world rankings to end the year served as a challenge for celebrated pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena.

The latest World Athletics rankings result fueled his spirit to strive for a better showing in 2026.

“Anything better than how this year has been,” Obiena said following a dismal performance in European tournaments.

Although he won a gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea last May and a fourth mint in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand with a meet record-setting 5.70 meters clearance, the year that is about to end wasn’t entirely a good one for Obiena.

He missed the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China last March after failing to hit the entry standard of 5.85m. within the qualifying period.

During the outdoor season, the two-time World Athletics Championships medalist failed to follow up on his Meeting Madrid win last July in Spain.

Issues obtaining visas forced Obiena to skip a few competitions in Europe. These problems affected his bid to secure a slot in the World Championships in Tokyo last September.

The University of Santo Tomas product did not participate in the remaining legs of the Diamond League and missed out on the final in Zurich, Switzerland last August.