Obiena intensifies Asiad buildup

Fresh from finishing sixth overall in the Diamond League in Lausanne, Ernest John Obiena ramps up his buildup for next month’s Asian Games in Japan when he sees action in the Silesia leg of the prestigious tournament on Sunday at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, Poland.

Competition starts at 9:35 p.m. (Manila time) with the Filipino pole vault star looking to make it to the podium.

The 30-year-old Obiena cleared 5.81 meters in Lausanne but failed in three attempts at 5.91m, the season-best mark he set at the Golden Sand meet in Międzyzdroje, Poland earlier this month.

With only four points in the Diamond League standings and just two legs remaining before the final, Obiena is now using the remaining competitions to sharpen his form ahead of two major assignments — the World Athletics Ultimate Championships and the Asian Games.

Obiena will face another loaded field in Poland led by world champion and world record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

Also joining the field are Americans KC Lightfoot, Zachary Bradford, Christopher Nilsen and Sam Kendricks, Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, Kurtis Marschall of Australia, Sondre Guttormsen of Norway and Thiery Baptiste of France.

The Polish leg will also mark a new chapter in Obiena’s preparations.

He is hoping the Silesia leg will be the first time this year he will breach the 5.90m-mark in the Diamond League

A strong performance in Chorzów could provide Obiena with another confidence boost as he continues his climb back to peak form following his 5.91m clearance — his first time above the 5.90m barrier since 2024.

The winner of the Silesia leg will take home $10,000, or roughly P616,000, with valuable Diamond League points also at stake.