Busy September for Obiena

MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo Olympics bet EJ Obiena kicks off a very busy schedule this month when he sees action in the International Golden Roof Challenge tonight in Innsbruck, Austria.

The 24-year-old Obiena arrived in Innsbruck from his training base in Formia, Italy for the first of four to six competitions he is planning to join as part of his preparation for next year’s Olympics.

“EJ is in Austria now,” said Obiena’s mother, Janet.

This will be the fifth meet for the reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and record-holder, who hopes to improve on his past performances that saw him snare a pair of silver medals and a bronze.

He cleared 5.62 meters for fifth place in Poland, 5.45m for a silver in Trieste, 5.70m for a bronze in the star-studded Diamond League in Monaco and 5.60m for another silver in a virtual event.

Obiena will next compete in the 59th Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on Tuesday before seeing action in two or four more events, including the Diamond League leg in Rome, Italy on Sept. 17.

Then he takes a break and will resume training late this year.