FILE–The Philippines’ EJ Obiena reacts as he competes in the men’s pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 26, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)
Injury problems stalk EJ Obiena’s run to the Paris Olympics, but he remains optimistic that he will be perfectly ready for the gold hunt even as gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Marcial, both medal favorites, kick off Team Philippines’ bid in the Summer Games along with rower Joanie Delgaco.
“It has been what can only be termed a bumpy road this season. Despite my best efforts at conditioning, fitness and discipline, I have been battling with various physical problems since April,’’ Obiena wrote on his social media account.
The world No. 2 pole vaulter missed the podium in his final pre-Olympic test, finishing fourth in the Meeting de Paris—the top-caliber Diamond League leg where defending Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden expectedly triumphed.
READ: Paris Olympics: EJ Obiena vows 100% despite physical problems
Duplantis, who also goes by the nickname “Mondo,” is favored to rule men’s pole vault as he has been over the past few years where he has been virtually untouchable. To score a golden upset in the French capital, Obiena would have needed to be perfect in Paris and hope that Duplantis is caught in an off-day.
So the timing of the Filipino’s current health problems couldn’t be any worse.
“I know and fully understand this can happen to athletes training at such intensity and no complaints. But why now? This has meant constant stops and stitching training and competition together with my team as well as we could,’’ Obiena wrote.
“If you had asked me a year ago how I would envision the perfect Olympic preparation, well it certainly wouldn’t be what has transpired,’’ he added.
Cinch to advance
The qualification round for men’s pole vault is on Aug. 3, and Obiena is a cinch to hurdle that and advance to the final, where he is hoping to finally be in perfect condition.
“I have undergone in the past months, weeks and days a variety of medical procedures, to hopefully give myself the best shot at the Olympic Games,’’ Obiena posted. “Am I feeling confident with my preparation? Well, definitely not as much as I would like. Am I doing the best I can each day? Yes and most definitely yes.’’Obiena, the Asian champion and record holder of 6 meters, will face the world’s best in the final on Aug. 6 at the 81,000-seater Stade de France.
READ: Paris Olympics: EJ Obiena sets sights–and everything else-on gold
Yulo, a two-time world champion on his second Olympic tour of duty, sees action in the qualification phase of the individual all-around on July 27—a day after a unique opening ceremony of the global sports showpiece held on the Seine River.
The 23-year-old Yulo finished fourth in men’s vault back in Tokyo 2021 and will enter the field of play beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Manila time) prior to the finals scheduled July 31.
Marcial, aspiring for nothing less than a gold medal this time after capturing a bronze in Tokyo, will start his bid on the same day, also at 9:30 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to Caloy, Eumir and Joanie giving the country that strong start in Paris,’’ said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.
Delgaco, the first woman rower from the Philippines to the Games, attempts to go past the heats in the women’s single sculls at 3 p.m.
Tolentino had earlier projected a successful campaign for the 22-athlete delegation to the French capital.
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“I believe this team is the most prepared in Philippine Olympic history,’’ said Tolentino, who expressed gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission for the unrelenting support in their preparation capped by the nation’s first-ever, pre-Olympic training camp in Metz, France. INQ
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