PATAFA lauds EJ Obiena after pole vaulter set new Asian record

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) congratulated EJ Obiena after the pole vaulter broke the Asian record on Saturday.

The Olympian cleared the 5.93-meter mark in the International Golden Roof Challenge in Austria, eclipsing the 5.92 meters Asian record previously set by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan.

PATAFA said the technical adjustments made by his coach Vitaly Petrov helped Obiena improve.

"Even minor and subtle adjustments, unnoticed by ordinary lay men like us, can become a game changer and  turning point at the highest level of a very technical and dangerous event like pole vault," said PATAFA president Philip Juico.

He said such changes make a "big difference" in an individual event like pole vault.

"We believe Obiena is working towards consistency in his performance and a more robust mental toughness plan of action," he added.

Obiena is set to compete in the International Stadionfest in Berlin, Germany this Sunday.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News