Obiena tests world champion

MANILA, Philippines — EJ Obiena will get to size up his Tokyo Olympics rivals headed by world champion and record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden and 2016 Rio Games gold medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil in the FBK Games in Hengelo, the Netherlands today.

The 25-year-old Obiena is coming off a gold medal finish in last Thursday’s Gothenburg Grand Prix in Sweden where he cleared 5.70 meters and bested Braz (5.65).

But the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist will have a tougher time in Hengelo as Duplantis is a different animal altogether, being the owner of the world outdoor (6.15m) and indoor (6.18m) records.