From being the world's number three, Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena has achieved a remarkable feat, securing the title of the world's second-best pole vaulter.

With an impressive tally of 1,432 points, Obiena has dethroned United States' Christopher Nielsen, who previously held the position for a remarkable 98 weeks.

Taking to his official social media account, Obiena proudly announced the accomplishment, expressing his gratitude for the support he received on his journey.

"Thank you to everyone who made this possible and my deepest gratitude to those who went to war so that I could continue this dream. This is not just my accomplishment alone, but everyone’s," Obiena said.

The athlete, who hails from Tondo, Manila, and is an alumnus of Chiang Kai-Shek College and the University of Santo Tomas, acknowledged the significance of this achievement for himself and his country.

"Maraming salamat Pilipinas sa pagkakataon na iwagayway ang iyong diwa," he expressed.

Notably, just a year ago, Obiena secured the title of the world's third-best pole vaulter when he clinched a bronze medal at the world championships in Eugene, Oregon, with an Asian record-breaking height of 5.94 meters.

Obiena attributed his recent impressive performance to his participation in the Asian Athletics Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, where he successfully defended his gold medal, setting a new tournament record of 5.91 meters.

Having already secured his spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics by clearing the qualifying mark of 5.82 meters at the Wanda Diamond League's Bauhaus Galan meet in Sweden on July 3, Obiena continues to make waves in the world of pole vaulting.

His stellar achievements in June led him to enter the prestigious "six-meter club," becoming the first Asian athlete to do so. This milestone was achieved when he claimed gold at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway, breaking both Asian and national pole vault records.