Consistency will be the name of the game as far as coach Emerson Obiena is concerned when his son, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, seeks a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics next month.
EJ is peaking at the moment after resetting his national record to 5.85 meters at a German outdoor tilt a few days ago – a performance that matched American Sam Kendrick’s bronze-medal feat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Maraming nakakatalon na ganyang height sa mga pole vaulters ngayon, pero ang pag-uusapan na dito kung sino yung pinaka-consistent na makakatalon ng ganun. Yun ang intensyon ni EJ ngayon,” said the older Obiena in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Online Forum.
With current world record holder Armand Duplantis clearing 6.10m in his latest tournament and other pole vaulters also gearing up in the ongoing outdoor season events, Emerson said the end goal is to jump higher than 5.85m.
Emerson said EJ eyes at least two more outdoor events before flying for Tokyo for the July 23 to Aug. 8 Games.
“Important yung mga susunod na tournaments niya kasi polishing of skills yung mga ginagawa dun,” Emerson said.
“Wala pang naka-lineup kung anong mga sasalihan niya, but at least dalawa, makasali pa siya. Or kung kailangan pang mag-adjust sa techniques niya, they can decide to join more.”