OLYMPIC PODIUM FINISH FOR PINOY POLE VAULTER EJ OBIENA NOT FAR IN PARIS

PATAFA president Agapito “Terry” Capistrano is optimistic fhat Italy-based Ernest John Obiena will figure prominently and probably wins medal in Paris Olympics and better his performance in Tokyo where four of the 19-field delegation won medals with Hidilyn Diaz bagged the Philippine’s first ever gold in weightlifting ending nearly 100 years of drought since 1924 where sprinter David Nepomuceno became the first Filipino athlete to compete in the 100m and 200m in the quadrennial meet.

“EJ is extremely gifted athlete. I am pretty optimistic he will do better and probably win medal in Paris,” said Capistrano.

“He should work hard and train hard to accomplish his dream and make history as the first Pinoy pole vaulter to win medal in the Olympic. He’s so obsessed to win the gold,” stressed Capistrano.

Capistrano said Obiena’s string of successes is clear indication he meant business in Paris.

“His series of triumphs in Europe and his victories in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and Asian Athletics is a strong manifestation of his determination to win medal and better his performance in Tokyo,” explained Capistrano.

The Paris Summer Games is the first Olympics of Capistrano after replacing long serving Patafa president and former Asian Athletic vice president and ex-Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Philip E. Juico.

Obiena is the first Filipino and the first Asian included in the six meters and 28th in the exclusive men pole vault 6-meter club led by reigning world at Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden better known in pole vault circle as “The Flying Swede”.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Tolentino even callefd Obiena a “jewel” makes it in his second Olympic appearance in Paris the country first competed in the quadrennial meet.

“He’s already there. Hopefully, he makes it in his second Olympic appearance. Let’s pray for his success because his triumph in Paris is also the success of the country and the Filipino people,” sabi ni Tolentino.

As part of his preparation, the No. 2 world ranked Pinoy pole vault icon and three times SEA Games gold medalist will compete in the World Indoor Athletics scheduled in the first week of March in Glasgow, Great Britain where the World Gymnastics Championship fellow Olympian and Paris bound Carlos Yulo competed..

If we recalled Obiena won bronze in the World Indoor Athletics held in Eugene, Oregon, USA after ruling the Asian Athletics in Doha, Qatar.

Obiena will leave for Glasgow fresh from his victories in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, Asian Athletics at Asian Athletics. The Pinoy will use his successes as “stepping stone” in his quest for personal glory.

Obiena won many competitions in Europe in Germany, Sweden, Austria, France, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy and Liechenstein and recently won silver in the World Athletics in Budapest, Hungary.

Recently Obiena beat Olympic champion Armand Duplantis at the Diamond League last September in Belgium after topping the SEA Games and Asian Games. Obiena jumped 5.91 meters and second to Duplantis 5.81 meters.

Obiena holds his personal best and Asian record six meters recorded in the World Athletics and Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway.

Obiena erased his old record 5.94 meters he recorded in the World Athletics in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Obiena won bronze in the competition.

EJ OBIENA