Obiena passes up World Indoors

World No. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena failed to clear the qualifying mark of 5.85m for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China, on March 21-23 and will focus on regaining his timing in training to prepare for the outdoor season.

- JOAQUIN HENSON

Obiena, 29, ended his 2024 campaign late last August and after over a four-month layoff to heal from a stress fracture in his spine, came back to soar 5.65m for second place in Cottbus, Germany, last Jan. 29. Then, he took gold with a 5.70m leap in Metz, France, last Feb. 8 but dropped to seventh on a 5.55m clearance in Dusseldorf, Germany the next day. Obiena jumped 5.60m to finish ninth in Lievin, France, last Feb. 13 and three days later, cleared 5.80m for first in Torun, Poland. He was listed as an Outside Competitor (OC) in a meet in Estonia last Feb. 22, his final bid to qualify for Nanjing. Obiena registered 5.65m, good for first bu