Filipino-American athlete Eric Cray has clinched a coveted spot in the upcoming World Athletics Championships, joining forces with fellow hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown and pole vault sensation Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena.
Scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27, the World Championships will see Cray competing on the global stage after earning sufficient points to secure a position among the top 40 athletes in the world rankings, guaranteeing him a place in the prestigious event.
At 34 years old, Cray, a former Asian Champion, is poised to compete on August 20, marking his second major competition since his triumphant performance at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last May, where he secured an impressive sixth consecutive gold medal in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Meanwhile, Brown secured her spot at the World Championships by dominating the women’s 400m hurdles at the Asian Athletics Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand, last July.
On a parallel note, Obiena has already earned an automatic entry to the World Championships due to his remarkable position as the world’s second-ranked pole vaulter. Notably, Obiena achieved a remarkable feat in the previous year’s edition of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he clinched a bronze medal, making history as the first Filipino athlete to grace the podium at this esteemed event.
Obiena’s recent performance at the Monaco Leg of the Wanda Diamond League showcased his prowess, as he secured a well-deserved silver medal, further solidifying his status as a formidable contender in the world of pole vaulting.