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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Burying the ghost

Burying the ghost

Published Oct 1, 2023 12:24 pm

At A Glance

  • Superstar EJ Obiena reposted one of the lowest points of his sporting career several hours after posting his biggest win so far on a cool and memorable evening on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the 19th Asian Games here.

HANGZHOU, China – Superstar EJ Obiena reposted one of the lowest points of his sporting career several hours after posting his biggest win so far on a cool and memorable evening on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the 19th Asian Games here.

obiena.jpg
EJ Obiena (PSC-POC Media pool)

In that post, he was seen leaning disappointingly against the rail with head bowed – perhaps angry at himself – after being tagged as one of the favorites only to falter in the end.

His caption was emotional as the dramatic scene as his revered coach Vitaly Petrov of Ukraine was seen trying to console him.

“I can’t sleep because of what happened so here goes nothin...” said Obiena in the post a couple of hours after a dismal 7th place in the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

But last night it was different – a stark contrast.

He was awake till the wee hours as he was still basking in full glory of his record-breaking gold medal win in pole vault of the athletics event – the centerpiece – of the 19-day continental showpiece at the city’s massive Olympic Stadium.

Winning was the gold was no longer a question, because according to his team Obiena is now in different league, breaking the record was more important, saying: “It was an icing on the cake.”

“It was a tough job, but the country needed it (gold), so it was my job to bring it.”

It was a fitting a climax to a successful season that saw him made it to the podium in 15 of 16 tournaments he took part.  He won twice in Germany and clinched a silver in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary last month.

But nothing beats his achievement last night.

Apart from quenching the thirst of a nation longing for his victory in this sporting spectacle, Obiena ended the country’s 37-year gold medal drought in athletics.

The late athletic marvel Lydia de Vega-Mercado defended her sprint title during the 1986 Seoul edition and the last to win as medal was long-jumper Elma Muros during the 1994 Hiroshima Games.

“We pushed through and I think we ere able to do what we need to do and bring back the gold for the country,” said Obiena who broke meet record of 5.70 after soaring and clearing the 5.90 meters.

The old record was established by Japanese Seito Yamamoto who was a sorry sight this time.

Before thousands of cheering fans, Obiena tried to break his Asian record of 6.0m by going 6.02 and attempting thrice.

Obiena failed on all occasions.

He was not totally disappointed that he failed to break his Asian mark.

After all, a financial reward of P3 million – P2 million from the Philippine Sports Commission as mandated by law and another P1 million as promised by POC President Abraham “Bambo” Tolentino awaits him.

That’s quite a fortune already.

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