ERNEST John 'EJ' Obiena has passed the Olympic qualifying standard in pole vault ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The Filipino cleared 5.81 meters in a competition in Chiara, Italy, surpassing the 5.80 qualifying standard for men’s pole vault for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico.
Once the mark is confirmed by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) following the end of qualification period on June 29, Obiena will be able to take part in the 2020 Olympics as a qualifier.
The Philippines has previously made it to the Olympics in athletics through universality places in which countries without qualified athletes are allowed to field one male and one female participant.
Obiena also saw action in the ISTAF Berlin where he registered 5.50 meters, and the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich, the first Filipino to do so, clearing 5.58 meters.
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