EJ Obiena asks for prayers a day before Tokyo pole vault finals
![](https://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2021/07/ej_2021_07_08_20_03_02.jpg)
EJ Obiena is asking for prayers before he steps onto the final stage of his Tokyo Olympics bid.
The Filipino pole vault ace will compete on August 3, Tuesday, at 6:20 p.m. in hopes to finish in the podium and hike the country's medal tally in the Summer Games.
"Pole vault finals happening tomorrow Aug 3 at 6:20pm Philippine time. Once again, I am asking for your prayers while I go against the world's best. I rest it all to You, Lord," Obiena posted on Facebook on Monday.
It will be a tough road for the 25-year-old athlete.
Tipped to be strong contenders for a medal are Armand Duplantis of Sweden, Thiago Braz of Brazil, Piotr Lisek of Poland, and Renaud Lavillenie of France--all of whom are inside the top 10 of world rankings.
Obiena, though, is proving to have a shot at a medal as he is currently ranked no. 6 in the world with a personal best record of 5.87m.
In the qualification round last Saturday, Obiena cleared the 5.75-meter mark to officially qualify for the medal round.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News