Don’t take EJ for granted.
EJ Obiena has won at least a bronze medal in almost every competition he’s played at in recent years. It almost feels like a routine from a viewer’s perspective, watching from thousands of miles away.
Excellence is expected from pole vaulter ranked third in the world. That comes with the resetting of the Philippine and Asian records regularly. Vaulting over the elusive 6 meters also opened a two-way street for EJ: the other means more expectations, and the other gives him more confidence.
As a perfectionist himself, the 27-year-old is not settling down with the wins. Even in successful vaults, Obiena sometimes criticizes his work. And there lies the Tondo, Manila pride’s success.
More than the “Asian record holder” and the first Pinoy to land a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Obiena, first and foremost, is a student of the game.
Talking to News5’s Martie Bautista, Obiena shared how he needed to adjust in Sweden to clear the 5.82 Olympic standard after failing in his first attempt.
“I threw the first attempt and then I moved up a pole but it was not that big of a difference. So I knew if I keep doing what I did or just slightly even effort, like don’t push it too hard. I should get it right on and get the maximum height,” he said.
Looking at Obiena’s resume, the only thing missing is an Olympic medal. And being the first Filipino to qualify for Paris 2024, Obiena has his eyes set on the missing hardware.
“I wanna win (in the Olympics). I don’t want to sound arrogant. I’m not doing all these to just… but I just wanna win,” he said.
“It’s something that I really wanna do and I’m doing everything I can and I’m obsessed with what I do, and I think that’s a good thing at least for now going to Paris.
Obiena will continue his buildup for the quadrennial meet as he competes in the Asian Championships, World Championships, and Asian Games next.
(GM)