Obiena places joint 3rd in Swiss meet

AFTER finishing fourth in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Filipino star pole vaulter EJ Obiena returned to business, finishing joint third in the men’s pole vault at the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland. 

Obiena finished third alongside Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen and Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who all cleared the 5.82 meters on their first try but were unable to surpass the 5.92 meters in three attempts.

Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, finished sixth in the competition despite clearing the 5.82 meters. In three attempts, the Greek pole vaulter also failed to surpass 5.92 meters. 

Meanwhile, Armand Duplantis of Sweden, the reigning Olympic gold champion and world number one pole vaulter, won gold again, followed by Sam Kendricks of the United States of America in silver. 

Duplantis won the event once again, this time with 6.15 meters, while Kendricks finished with only 5.92 meters. Displaying world domination once more, like he did in the Olympics.

The comeback

It’s amazing to see how the now-world-number-three Filipino pole vaulter was able to overcome the loss and perform at the finest level possible in his first post-Olympic tournament for the country. 

Obiena was at his lowest point before returning to the country to meet President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, and pay a visit to his alma mater, Chiang Kai Shek College. 

Obiena took the opportunity to ponder and re-evaluate his circumstances in order to go forward with a more effective approach. Making another pledge to all Filipinos, he stated that he is not giving up on his aim of one day bringing a gold medal to the country.

Nonetheless, as determined as he is to finish what he started, Obiena did not let this thought detract from the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being surrounded by proud Filipinos and spending time with his closest family members back home.

“As I am enroute back to Italy and training, I have come to realize just now how special the last 24 hours, being at home in the Philippines, has been,” said Obiena in a Facebook post before the start of his competition.

“From such a wonderfully warm reception at Malacanang; to great conversations in-flight and on the bus rides with the other athletes; to quickly visiting my Alma mater; to meeting some many of my fellow countrymen.”

“What a special time that will forever be etched in my memories. Thank you! I am sorry I wasn’t in the parade; but as you know my season’s not over and there are upcoming competitions that I will compete in,“ he added.

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Filipino star pole vaulter is slated to compete in another event in the Silesia leg on August 25, continuing to climb his world rankings after dropping one position.