Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena secured his place in the 2024 Paris Olympics after claiming the silver medal in the BAUHAUS-galan Diamond League in Stockholm, Sweden last Sunday, July 2.

The Thomasian alumnus cleared the 5.82-meter Olympic-qualifying mark, finishing behind home bet and world record holder Armand Duplantis, who placed first at 6.05 meters.

Despite a foul on the first attempt, Obiena was quick to bounce back as he immediately recorded the qualifying standard in the second, however, was short in clearing his final attempt of 5.95 meters.

Finishing bronze was Norway’s Paul Haugen Lillefosse, who bested Belgium’s Ben Broeders after clearing 5.72 meters via countback.

Lilfosse, Broeders, and Brazil’s Braz Thiago are among the BAUHAUS-galan participants who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics along with Duplantis and Obiena.

The world No. 3 Filipino pole vaulter continues his winning streak after claiming medals in five recent outdoor competitions of the season.

Obiena has recently joined the “six-meter club” after clearing six meters in the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway. A feat that was only done so far by 28 vaulters in history, with Obiena being the first Asian to do so.

Following the historic feat, Obiena placed third in the Oslo Bislett Games at 5.81 meters behind pole vault powerhouses Duplantis and world’s no.2 Chris Nilsen.

He concluded his pre-qualifying stint five days ago in Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic once again claiming the bronze medal with a 5.90-meter vault.

Obiena’s Olympic redemption looks promising since placing 11th in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics only clearing a height of 5.70 meters back then.