EJ Obiena of Philippines, competes through the males’s pole vault remaining on the Paris Olympics 2024, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photograph/Bernat Armangue)
MANILA, Philippines–EJ Obiena holds an admirable capacity of choosing himself up rapidly from each failure.
Dejected and heartbroken by a flamed out bid on the current Paris Summer season Video games, the drive to rise once more received’t be any totally different in Obiena’s quest for redemption if he decides to do one other Olympics in Los Angeles 2028.
“The measure of a person or lady will not be a singular occasion—just like the Olympics—however a cumulative or collective measure over time,’’ Obiena posted on social media upon his return to Manila on Tuesday.
READ: Well being a prime precedence for EJ Obiena after Paris Olympics run
Inserting fourth on the grandest stage in males’s pole vault has now turn into a distant reminiscence for Obiena, the world’s No. 2 within the sport, as the fireplace in him to succeed got here flooding again.
“I decide to everybody now, I’m again in coaching. I’m again within the recreation, and I’m going to assault the remainder of the season and make you proud,’’ mentioned the Asian file holder of six meters.
The 28-year-old Obiena practically grasped the Olympic bronze solely to let it slip away after three makes an attempt at 5.95 meters didn’t pan out.
READ: EJ Obiena apologizes for lacking out on Paris Olympics medal
Obiena’s missed alternative turned out to be a blessing for Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, who likewise cleared 5.90m with the Filipino ace, however was flawless in his earlier makes an attempt at decrease elevations.
Karalis then joined Olympic record-holder and gold winner Mondo Duplantis of Sweden and silver performer Sam Kendricks of the US on the awarding ceremony.
EJ Obiena of the Philippines reacts after lacking an try through the males’s pole vault remaining on the Paris Olympics 2024, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photograph/David Goldman)
“I completed fourth in Paris. Shut however not ok. I’m not measured by this. I’m measured by my profession,’’ mentioned Obiena.
READ: EJ Obiena nonetheless mulling what’s subsequent after Paris Olympics
Primarily based in Formia, Italy for fairly a while, the as soon as scrawny child from Tondo, Manila rose to turn into a world determine within the sport, reaching the rostrum on the planet championships twice—a bronze medal in 2022 Eugene, Oregon and silver in 2023 Budapest, Hungary.
Obiena additionally stays unbeatable in Asia, successful the Asian championships twice and 2023 Asian Video games other than being dominant within the Southeast Asian Video games.
Whereas these tournaments have turn into a regular looking floor for Obiena, standing on the medal stage of the crown jewel—the Olympics—has eluded him.
Obiena positioned eleventh in his first journey to the Video games in Tokyo 2021 and obtained himself into the dialog for a medal in Paris previous to ending fourth.
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“You’re going to see extra from me, and see the Philippine flag raised and raised on a world stage. Let’s go on with it,’’ mentioned Obiena with the hashtag #notdoneyet.
