Olympic-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena will see action for the first time since a successful stint in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games here.
The 6-foot-2 Obiena, the first Filipino qualifier to the Tokyo Olympics, will join a virtual contest that will pit him against pole vault greats Pawel Wojciechowski of Poland (World No. 8) and American Matt Ludwig (World No. 29).
The three qualified for the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Olympics reset next year.
The online competition will be streamed live on August 17 at 9 p.m. (Manila time) via the Finest Vaulter site on their respective facilities.
The 23-year-old Obiena flew back to Formia, Italy to continue training for the Tokyo preparation after bagging the gold medal in the SEA Games last year.
The coronavirus pandemic, however, froze his usual training routine and he only continued regular practice last May after authorities opened the Olympic Training Center in Formia. (Jan Carlo Anolin) ###