Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media/FileFilipino Olympian EJ Obiena has already arrived in Doha, two days before he resumes his campaign in the Diamond League on June 19, and the 30-year-old pole vault star said he is feeling healthy and ready heading into the prestigious meet.
“I feel strong. I feel healthy. That’s the most important thing,” Obiena said.
Currently ranked No. 13 in the world by World Athletics, Obiena is coming off a silver-medal finish at the Flight Circus meet in Düsseldorf, where he cleared 5.74 meters in what he described as one of “his best season openers.”
“I just played it safe and I’m happy to come out with 5.74. Great surprise with a bunch of Filipinos out there in the crowd,” he said.
Obiena acknowledged that the heat in Doha will be a factor, with temperatures expected to reach around 30 degrees Celsius even with the competition scheduled at 7 p.m. local time.
Still, he believes the conditions could work to his advantage.
“The Philippines is warm. I’m used to this and I think it’s going to be an advantage for me going into the field,” he said.
The Doha field will be stacked, with world No. 2 Emmanuel Karalis of Greece among those seeing action, along with a young Qatari vaulter who recently cleared 5.75 meters.
“It’s going to be tough,” Obiena said. “It’s a Diamond League. The home crowd favorite is also here. He’s having a great season.”
After the Doha meet, Obiena will immediately head back to Europe, catching a 2 a.m. flight for the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, on June 21 before returning to his new training base in Athens, Greece.