Pole vaulter EJ Obiena to undergo knee surgery

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena is set to undergo surgery today in Germany.

According to his legal spokesperson Bobbet Bruce, the 26-year-old Olympian will go under the knife to repair a small meniscus tear on his left knee which Obiena does not specifically know where or when he sustained.

"It's a minor injury. Small meniscal tear. He will undergo an arthroscopic surgery today at 10 a.m. (5 p.m. in Manila) at the Southwest German Center for Sports Traumatology in Uhingen, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany," Bruce told GMA News Online in a message.

"Dr. Dimitr-Alexander Jontschew, a recognized specialist in orthopedic surgery and medical director of the facility that is accredited by the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, will perform the surgery."

Bruce said Obiena can actually train and compete with the injury but said his camp pushed through with the surgery to avoid complications in the future.

On the part of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), chairman William Ramirez on Tuesday said the budget for Obiena's medical procedure has been approved and will be released soon.

"Obiena needs help for his medical procedure. We just approved yesterday of an amount to take care of his surgery. His incentive is being finalized by the NSA affairs," said Ramirez in the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Obiena's surgery comes just weeks before his planned participation in the Init Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany on January 28, which would jumpstart a busy 2022 for the world no. 6 pole vaulter.

"[We're] hoping for the best. We hope that EJ can already jump by January 28," said Bruce.

—JMB, GMA News