Top Pinoy pole vaulter EJ Obiena talks about the challenges that lie ahead in his second Olympic stint.
World number two pole vaulter and Paris Olympics-bound EJ Obiena admitted the road to the 2024 Summer Games was "tougher than he thought", but remained on track on giving the country its first Olympic medal in the event.
Obiena was the first Filipino to clinch a berth to the Paris Olympics after clearing the 5.82-meter qualifying mark July last year.
“It’s not [as] smooth as what maybe a lot of people think. It’s not as easy as it looks. There’s a lot of things happening in the background and you’re like I need to manage this somehow, find a way to make it work.” Obiena said in a one-on-one interview with Creamline Cool Smashers star Alyssa Valdez on Pilipinas Live's Starting Lineup.
“I’m here for the grind, the ups and down. Moving to Paris, [I’m] just dealing with the things that need to be dealt with one thing at a time,” the 28-year-old athlete shared.
EJ, the son of track and field athletes Emerson and Jeanette Uy, also looked back on a historic 2023, when he took silver in the World Athletics Championships, retained his Asian Athletics Championships crown, captured a maiden Asian Games title, and qualified for the Paris Olympics.
The returning Olympian was also named as the PSA Athlete of the Year, the first trackster to win the prestigious award since long jumper Marestella Torres in 2009.
[ALSO READ: EJ Obiena shines brightest in star-studded PSA Awards Night]
Obiena, however, revealed he was not able to spend a vacation since then.
“It’s been a pretty year. We ended the year quite late. We needed to prepare for the indoor [season]... I actually just [have] like, two weeks in the Philippines and [go] back to work so that can wait until Paris’ over I would say.”
“Right now, were just zone in, we're working and focusing. Delayed gratification I would say,“ the multi-awarded Pinoy athlete added.
Obiena also shared his preparation for the upcoming Paris meet and shared some tips on how he avoids burnouts.
“We’re still working on mostly getting stronger, getting faster. We try to improve day-by-day. I’m just working on it and making sure I’m healthy come that day [Paris 2024 Summer Games]. I do enjoy the sport that I do. I think I’m still in that age where I enjoy traveling. I still have that grit and hunger to pursue the things that I do.”
Obiena started 2024 with two golds in the ISTAF Berlin and Croatia tournaments, where he set a new national and Asian record in the indoor pole vault.
[ALSO READ:EJ Obiena sets new Asian Indoor record with victory in Berlin]