EJ Obiena bows out of Olympics pole vault finals at 5.80-m
Pole Vaulter Ernest John (EJ) Obiena has ended his Olympics campaign at the 5.80-meter round of the Athletics men’s pole vault finals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics today, Aug. 3, at the Olympic Stadium in Japan.
EJ easily flew over the first attempt of 5.55-m. He came in with the clutch as he succeeded in his third attempt at the 5.70-m bar. After some discussion with officials regarding the game clock continuing to move before his third attempt at 5.80-m, he failed to clear the bar to proceed to the next round. He is ranked as No. 6 in the world and has a personal best of 5.87 meters.
Obiena was up against 13 other pole vaulters from all over the world. Sweden's Arman Duplantis took home the gold medal, USA's Christopher Nilsen the silver, and Brazil's Thiago Braz the bronze.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is the son of national pole vaulter Emerson Obiena and student-athlete Jeanette Obiena. The athlete was assured of a spot in the finals after he cleared the 5.75-meter bar on his third attempt during the qualifying rounds.
The Tokyo Olympics serves as the Thomasian’s Olympics debut.
In a post a day before the finals event, the vaulter asked his supporters for prayers as he prepared for his game.
“Once again, I am asking for your prayers while I go against the world's best. I rest it all to You, Lord," Obiena shared.
The Philippines has two medals so far in its 2020 Olympic run: Hidilyn Diaz’ gold-winning weightlifting feat and Nesthy Petecio’s historic silver medal boxing campaign. The country also has two assured bronzes from boxers Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial.
Continue to fly high, EJ!
(Banner photo: Philippines' Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 3. Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
