EJ Obiena fell just short of clinching the Philippines’ first Olympic medal in athletics in 88 years, securing a commendable fourth-place finish in the Men’s Pole Vault on Tuesday morning (Manila time) at the Stade de France.
With a best jump of 5.90 meters, the 28-year-old pole vaulter once again showcased his extraordinary talent and unwavering spirit on the grandest stage.
Obiena, a product of the University of Santo Tomas, came tantalizingly close to adding Olympic hardware to his impressive collection, which includes two medals from back-to-back World Championships.
Despite the heartbreak of missing the podium, his performance in Paris was a powerful redemption arc from his Olympic debut in Tokyo, where he finished 11th.
In the weeks leading up to the Paris Games, Obiena openly shared his struggles with physical problems.
The challenges threatened to undermine his preparation, casting a shadow over his Olympic aspirations.
Yet, when it mattered most, he stepped onto the field for qualifications injury-free, displaying no signs of the earlier issues.
His resolve was palpable as he sailed through both the qualifications and the final with characteristic poise.
The competition itself was a thrilling showdown, particularly between Obiena and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis.
The two athletes were neck-and-neck, pushing each other to their limits.
Karalis, in a strategic move, opted to pass on the 5.95-meter mark, shifting the pressure onto the Asian record holder.
Obiena rose to the challenge, but his attempts at clearing the height fell just short.
For the recent World Championships silver medalist, these two unsuccessful attempts sealed the final standings.
Despite not reaching the podium, Obiena’s journey was far from a defeat.
His performance in Paris reaffirmed his place among the world’s elite pole vaulters and signaled a bright future ahead.
