Manila, Philippines – Two gold medals, a silver medal, a bronze medal and two 5th Place finishes is what Olympic pole vault qualifier EJ Obiena bagged after touring around Europe.
“I’m calling it done for the indoors,” said Obiena.
Despite these achievements against world-class athletes, he humble himself to be just a survivor under tough pandemic conditions.
Ernest John Obiena has to learn speaking Italian because of the ordeals he experinced during the three-week tour of Europe to compete for the gold in Pole Vaulting. His journey back to Formia started with a cancelled flight, 5-hour Torun-Krakow drive, another flight towards Milan, followed by a 2-hour drive to Padova and lastly a 7-hour drive to Formia.
He travelled alone as his Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov and physiotherapist Francesco Viscusi stayed in Italy.
Meanwhile, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Inc. President Popoy Juico and Secretary-General Terry Capistrano, together with Philippine Sports Commission are closely monitoring the athlete’s movements, providing all-out support. Capistrano said it’s heroic that Obiena is sacrificing abroad, away from family, for the chance to bring honor to the country.
As Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games is just around the corner, Obiena said that he will likely head to Tokyo for the Olympics straight from Italy in July. Meaning no homecoming for EJ Obiena before the Tokyo Olympics.
All this after competeing in summer for the outdoor season, “I think next competition would be in the summer during the outdoor season. Coach Vitaly plans my competitions and I trust what he thinks would be the best.” Obiena said.
As of the moment, Obiena is focused on getting better each day, and confidently said “I’m taking it one day at a time but still knowing it’s there. Just focusing on how I could get better. A podium finish in Tokyo is the goal and I believe it’s possible and doable.”
Additional Report: Joaquin Hendon, The Philippine Star
Photo Courtesy: Manila Bulletin, Spin.ph, Olympics.org
