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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Obiena ready to soar and deliver 1st gold for Team PH

Obiena ready to soar and deliver 1st gold for Team PH

Published Sep 29, 2023 07:21 am

At A Glance

  • HANGZHOU, China – After investing so much time and money with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission, it's now time for the pole vault ace EJ Obiena to deliver the big one for Team Philippines in the 19th Asian Games here.

HANGZHOU, China – After investing so much time and money with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission, it's now time for the pole vault ace EJ Obiena to deliver the big one for Team Philippines in the 19th Asian Games here.

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EJ Obiena (AFP)

Judging his sterling performances since the start of the athletic season in the United States and Europe, Obiena, 27, has long been installed the odds-on favorite to rule the event that if ever he wins will certainly lift the gloom that befell on the entire delegation here since the official start of the continental showpiece when he competes on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the massive Olympic Stadium.

Though already assured of a spot in the Paris Olympics next year, Obiena is not taking any chances, knowing full well he has a target on his back which is getting larger each day.

“One last push for this season,” said the world No. 2 in his official facebook with a video footage that saw him clear the barrier with relative ease. 

Obiena is also the proud holder of the Asian record of 6.0 meters which he did twice, including his historic silver medal win in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary last month. 

Actually, his iconic picture says it all as he was standing firmly, holding his pole tight, and eyes were as a flame of fire in his 

intense desire to bury the ugly memory of the 2018 Jakarta Games.

In that edition, Obiena finished a disappointing seventh and that will be his biggest motivation coming here.
 

In another post, Obiena said: “There is an opportunity and a possibility to achieve greatness and everybody would want to be remembered and be a part of Philippine sports history.”

Is he feeling the pressure to deliver the first PH gold?

Of course, but Obiena is taking the pressure as a privilege because there is a lot at stake.

Prior to coming here, Obiena captured the silver medal in the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene, Oregon on Sept. 17 where he cleared 5.82 meters to finish second behind world and Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

In 14 times he made it to the podium this season, he emerged No. 1 twice – both held in Germany.

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