EJ Obiena finished seventh at the Bauhaus-Galan meet in Stockholm this past Monday morning (Manila time) as he continues to deal with persistent back issues. The Filipino pole vault star cleared 5.70 meters but failed to surpass 5.80 meters, falling short of a podium finish in the latest stop of the Diamond League circuit.
Swedish pole vault icon Armand Duplantis headlined the event by breaking his own world record, clearing a jaw-dropping 6.25 meters in front of his home crowd. Duplantis–the reigning Olympic and world champion–reaffirmed his dominance, while Obiena fell behind the world’s elite, visibly affected by lingering physical setbacks.
Injury Continues to Impact Obiena’s Form
The seventh-place result in Stockholm comes just days after Obiena registered a “no mark” in Oslo, where he failed to clear 5.62 meters and tweaked his back on his first attempt. This back injury has hampered his training and rhythm, forcing him to skip a meet in Ostrava earlier this month.
Obiena, currently ranked among the top vaulters globally, admitted that his back is “still not 100%,” affecting his ability to find consistency. He noted that although he can still clear decent heights, the injury disrupts his buildup and execution in competition.
Eyes Set on Recovery and Bigger Goals
Despite recent setbacks, Obiena’s team remains focused on long-term objectives. With major meets like the 2025 World Athletics Championships and other Olympic qualification events on the calendar, recovery and recalibration are top priorities. His personal best of 6.00 meters, achieved in 2023, remains proof of the elite form he’s capable of reaching when fully fit.
While the back injury is a concern, it’s not new territory for Obiena, who has overcome physical and logistical challenges throughout his career. With proper rest and rehab, supporters are hopeful he’ll return to top shape in time for the next Olympic cycle and global competitions.
Obiena continues to be the Philippines’ top contender in athletics, and the coming months will be crucial for charting his comeback and sustained success on the world stage.
