EJ Obiena, John Cabang Tolentino banner PH team to World Athletics Indoor Championships

Olympians EJ Obiena and John Cabang Tolentino will banner the Philippine team competing in the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland from March 20 to 22.

Pole vault star Obiena expressed his excitement on social media about qualifying for the indoor championships.

“Last year I missed, didn’t make the cut, grade or whatever is synonymous with ‘failing to qualify.’ That was a tough shake. I said I would bounce back time and time again but it didn’t exactly work out that outdoor season,” Obiena wrote.

“Still today, it doesn’t feel like I’m anywhere near where I want to be or believe I can be. Making this World Indoors championship, one of the twelve vaulters, is a small step on a long road back. Brick by brick, inch by inch we build — and if I must crawl, so be it.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ernest Obiena (@ernestobienapv)

Obiena recently registered a season-best 5.78 meters at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin meet.

Cabang Tolentino, meanwhile, will compete in the 60-meter hurdles, according to the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

Also qualifying for the Philippine team are Jessica Laurance and Zion Corrales Nelson, who will both compete in the 60-meter dash.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News