A photo of pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena taken from his Facebook account
MANILA – Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino believes that Ernest John “EJ” Obiena can win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, based on the pole vaulter's performance this season.
“He’s (Obiena) making sure he’ll get there,” Tolentino commented on Monday following Obiena's silver medal finish last Sunday at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where he cleared 6.0 meters for the second time this year.
The 27-year-old ruled the Bergen Jump Challenge in Bryggen, Norway last July 10 in 6.0 meters, erasing the Asian record of 5.94m he set in winning the bronze medal at the World Athletics Championship in Eugene, Oregon in 2022.
In Hungary, Olympic champion and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden cleared 6.10m to claim his second world championships title.
“It’s not only skills and physicality that’s gone elite on EJ, but his focus and mental approach to his sport,” said Tolentino, who also serves as cycling federation president.
“It’s a year to go before Paris, one full year for EJ to get better and better. He’ll have plenty of time to focus on setting the bar higher, and qualifying for Paris won’t be one of his challenges anymore, he’s in,” he added.
Obiena registered 5.82m during the Diamond League-Bauhaus Galan in Sweden last July 3 to secure an Olympic berth. He debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Games where he finished 11th among 12 finalists.
At the Monaco leg of the Diamond League in Monte Carlo last July 23, he posted 5.82m to finish second behind American Christopher Nilsen (5.92m). Duplantis was fourth.
Obiena had beaten Duplantis at the Diamond League in September last year in Brussels, pocketing the gold medal with 5.91m with the Swede settling for the silver medal with 5.81m.
The Olympic qualifying window will end on June 30 next year and with the upcoming Asian Games serving as qualifier, Tolentino is hoping that more Filipino athletes will be able to join Obiena in Paris.
“We’re hopeful for more Filipino athletes to get to Paris via Hangzhou,” he said.
The 12th Asian Games is scheduled from September 23 to October 8, while the athletics competition will be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center. (PNA)
