EJ Obiena advanced to the final round of the pole vault event in the 2023 World Athletics Championships on Wednesday in Budapest (Manila time).
The World No. 2-ranked Pinoy only needed two attempts to qualify, clearing 5.55 meters in his first try and 5.75 meters in the second.
His main competitor and world record holder, Armand Duplantis of Sweden, cleared 5.55m, 5.70 m, and 5.75 m.
The final round will take place on Saturday.
Obiena is trying to improve on the bronze medal finish in the 2022 edition of the Worlds in Oregon, where he cleared 5.94 m.
He became a member of the six-meter club after breaching the mark in June 2023 in Norway.
