As the famous Japanese saying goes, “Nanakorobi, yaoki” which means “fall down seven times, stand up eight". EJ Obiena will not stay down and vows to rise after the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
After his latest Olympic setback, top Pinoy pole vaulter EJ Obiena made a bold promise.
“I have been knocked down. But I will get back up.”
The world no. 2 pole vaulter shared this strong message in a heartfelt post on social media on Tuesday, August 6, after falling short of a podium finish in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Obiena finished fourth in the medal round, just behind gold medalist Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden, Sam Kendricks of the United States who nabbed silver, and Emmanouil Karalis of Greece who took home bronze.
[ALSO READ: No medal for EJ Obiena as he finishes 4th in Paris 2024 pole vault]
In the post, the 28-year-old leaper described his fourth-place finish as "the harshest place to be".
“I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium. I apologise for this outcome; such is life as the world of competitive sports can be exhilarating at times, and painful at others. I have experienced both and unfortunately today I am on the other side of it!,” Obiena wrote.
The 2023 Asian Games gold medalist admitted he is still in the process of soaking in the outcome while also sticking to the positives of his second Olympic stint.
“On a positive note I am proud of what I was actually able to stitch together for this Olympics, with all the struggles that came with this year; but still it hurts to be this close to an Olympic Medal,” the pride of Tondo, Manila added.
“As anyone can imagine the reality is still sinking in and I am processing the outcome,” the multi-time SEA Games champion admitted.
He even shared a tearful apology after the competition.
[ALSO READ: EJ Obiena apologizes after "painful" finish results in barely missing Olympic medal for Paris 2024]
Still mulling on his options moving forward, Obiena extended his gratitude to the Filipino fans who showed support while also tipping his hat off to fellow compatriot and the only two-time Filipino Olympic gold medalist in Carlos Yulo
[ALSO READ: What's next for EJ Obiena? World no. 2 pole vaulter mulls options, but shares priority after Paris 2024]
“Thank you again for your support and standing by me. I love you all, and we all share a common love and pride for the Philippines. Carlos Yulo has already made this an Olympics to remember and I salute him.”
[ALSO READ: Double delight for Carlos Yulo as he strikes gold a second time in vault in Paris 2024]
"I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium but I will be back. “The good get up” as they say.”
Obiena, who owns the Asian record clearance of 6.0m, has had ups and downs this season.
He kickstarted 2024 on a high, winning back-to-back golds in the Crotia and Berlin tilt before another title in at the LA Grand Prix. He then dropped to seventh at the Ostrava Golden Spike.
[Related: EJ Obiena sets new Asian Indoor record with victory in Berlin]
Obiena then returned to the podium with a silver at the Oslo Bislett Games but dropped to seventh again at the Diamond League Stockholm leg early June.
[Also read: Back in action: World no. 2 EJ Obiena bags gold in USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix]
But he recovered in Poland with back-to-back gold medal performances which saw him register his season-best 5.97m clearance at the Irena Szewinska Memorial and surpass 5.87m at the Memorial Czeslawa Cybulskiego late June.
The two-time Olympian then finished fourth at the Meeting de Paris on July 7 which served as his final competition before the Paris 2024.