Italy-based Ernest John Obiena started his indoor campaign by bagging the bronze medal in the ISTAF Düsseldorf in Germany on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Obiena, who currently sits at No. 11 in the World Athletics rankings, cleared 5.65 meters for his first podium finish of the new year.

Menno Vloon of the Netherlands topped the event by doing 5.75m while Sam Kendricks of the United States settled for a silver medal with a season-best 5.70m in the eight-man tourney that also lured loval bets Torben Blech and Bo Kanda Lita Baehre as well as Ioannis Rizos of Greece and Ersu Sasma of Turkey.

“Indoor season officially started. Came away with a bronze here,” Obiena said.

More than a head start, Obiena is gunning for a spot at the 21st World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland from 20 to 22 March.

Obiena needs to clear 5.90m before 8 Marchto punch his ticket into the biggest indoor athletics tournament in the world.

The former world No. 2 missed last year’s edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China after not hitting the qualifying standard of 5.85m.

Obiena said he feels a lot better this time as he enters the indoor season healthy specially now that his back injury has healed completely.

“I’m in a much better space. I’m healthier. You didn’t see me limping with my back because finally I’m pain-free,” Obiena said.

“The last time I jumped around 65-70, I jumped six meters on my full approach. I’m excited, looking forward to that.”

Aside from the Polish worlds, Obiena is also training his sights on retaining the Asian Games gold when Aichi-Nagoya hosts the 20th edition of the quadrennial sportsfest.