EJ Obiena takes remainder of the 12 months off after report Asian Video games romp

EJ Obiena clears 5.90 meters for a brand new Asiad mark earlier than cooling his heels for a few months and resuming Paris quest. —AFP PHOTOS

After a record-shattering gold medal efficiency that someway lifted the spirits of the deflated Philippine contingent in Hangzhou, China, EJ Obiena could have the remainder of the 12 months to take it straightforward earlier than taking the deep plunge in chasing the title that issues most.

The one that may take the 27-year-old Filipino to athletics immortality.

“It has been a tremendous 12 months for me and I’m very happy with it,” Obiena stated, moments after clearing 5.90 meters (m) within the pole vault finals Saturday evening at Hangzhou Olympic Sports activities Centre Stadium that gave Crew PH its first gold medal in these Video games.

It was an anticipated win for the Tondo native. And a well-deserved respite is up subsequent after what has been a season filled with grind.

“I’m turning it off for a second to benefit from the (remainder of the) 12 months,’’ stated Obiena after resetting the Asian Video games report.

However individuals wanted to ask him about Paris 2024.

“I don’t wish to give it some thought but,’’ stated the world No. 2 after additionally retaining the continental title he gained within the Asian Championships shut to a few months in the past in Bangkok, Thailand. He additionally tried to clear 6.02 meters to reset the regional commonplace he additionally owns, however failed.

The Italy-based Obiena additionally gained a silver within the World Athletic Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August and one other second-place touchdown within the Diamond League finals in Eugene, Oregon final month.

On each events, Obiena checked in second to world champion and record-holder Armand “Mondo’’ Duplantis of Sweden, who will nonetheless undoubtedly be his largest goal within the glitzy style capital in lower than a 12 months.

Having fun with the second

“Superb! I imply this crowd is one in all a form! ”Philippine Pole Vaulter OBIENA Ernest John stated after he breaking the Asian Video games Report and rising the report to five.90m.#Hangzhou #AsianGames #Athletics #PoleVault #TeamPhilippines #HangzhouAsianGames #AsianGames2023… pic.twitter.com/plviJk0qfg

— nineteenth Asian Video games Hangzhou 2022 Official (@19thAGofficial) September 30, 2023

However for now, it’s time for the nation to take pleasure in this win, which was lengthy in coming after a number of high-profile Filipino bets fell by the wayside one after the other.

“I’m very pleased that he pulled by means of. I can think about the strain on EJ due to all of the expectations,” stated beaming Philippine athletics chief Terry Capistrano. “(Successful) has develop into his mindset each event he joins and that’s superb.

“(We are going to) let him relaxation for every now and then after Christmas, we are able to begin considering of Paris.”

China’s Huang Bokai and Saudi Arabia’s Hussain Al Hizam checked in second and third, respectively after each hurdled 5.65 meters and the Chinese language successful through a countback.

“He’s (Obiena) a celebrity. Simply pleased to compete with him,’’ stated Al Hizam, who trains with Obiena below famend Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov in Formia, Italy together with Huang.

“EJ is my greatest buddy. We’ve been coaching collectively since 2019,’’ added Huang.

Lengthy drought snapped

Obiena’s gold additionally quenched the nation’s thirst for a primary medal within the Asiad after lengthy jumper Elma Muros bagged a bronze within the 1994 Hiroshima version.

It likewise ended practically 4 a long time of ready for that prized gold when the late nice sprinter Lydia De Vega gained the 100m in 1986 in Seoul, South Korea.

Additionally turning into a member of the elite six meters membership in June in the course of the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Bounce Problem in Norway, Obiena is definitely the primary Filipino to qualify for the Paris Summer time Video games after assembly the Olympic commonplace of 5.82m on the Bauhaus Galan in Stockholm, Sweden.

Aside from these milestones, the Tokyo Olympian was a constant medalist in virtually all the tournaments he participated in on the indoor and outside European circuit. He additionally gained the Southeast Asian Video games gold in Cambodia final Might.

After the Christmas break, Obiena will begin going by means of the motions of implementing the coaching plan ready by Petrov on his approach to the Olympics, the place probably the most vital piece of {hardware} can convey him unmatched acclaim in Philippine athletics. INQ