EDITORS DESK
No one comes close to Swedish star Armand Duplantis as the world's best pole vaulter. He may be soon dethroned, but now he is the untouchable king.
In Asia, there's EJ Obiena. This side of the globe is his own kingdom. He is the continent's icon of the sport with two Asian titles under his name, a three-time Southeast Asian Games champion, and a perennial podium finisher in the ultra-competitive European circuit.
But his reign will be tested tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30, when the Filipino athlete becomes the beacon of hope for the entire delegation, and also the praying supporters back home who have been longing to finally see a gold medal winner after a string of disappointing finishes in the ongoing 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The world No. 2 Obiena reaches for new heights when he plunges into the men's pole vault event of the Asiad, knowing full well that coming out triumphant could spark a massive turnaround for the Team Philippines' campaign that has only netted so far one silver and four bronzes after five days of competition.
That could be easier said than done for the Manileño in the quadrennial meet that has produced plenty of surprises as of late. Despite Obiena's ranking and personal best of 6.0 meters, the pressure, environment, and other intangible factors could play huge in his physical and mental state come the actual showpiece.
It also doesn't help that two of the Filipino's closest rivals in Asia hail from the host nation.
World No. 22 Jie Yao rewrote China's national record last June with a leap of 5.82m. Obiena's final tournament before the Asian Games saw him clear the same height in the Diamond League Finals in Oregon, USA.
Bokai Huang, a few places higher at No. 18, has a season best of 5.75m set in Budapest last August. Since Obiena's SEA Games result of 5.65m in Cambodia last May, the Filipino has registered three finishes that were below 5.75m: one in Poland (5.72m), in France (5.72m), and in Switzerland (5.60m).
These numbers could potentially dictate the progression of the finals — and also reveal the beauty of rivalries — when the event kicks off at 7 p.m. (Manila time).
But barring any hiccups, Obiena will surely shoot for the stratosphere.
So important is his fight, that seeing him at the top could trigger a surge for the remaining Filipino warriors in Hangzhou.
Just Thursday morning, Arnel Mandal came tantalizingly close to winning the gold medal in wushu sanda, only to bow against a Chinese bet in the finals of the 56kg finals.
Regardless, Mandal will be coming home with a shining silver.
The four bronze winners were taekwondo jin Patrick King Perez, and wushu artists Gideon Padua, Clemente Tabugara, and Jones Inso.
Also carrying the torch in their upcoming events are strong medal contenders in boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and John Marvin, tennis sensation Alex Eala, and weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz - Naranjo, Vanessa Sarno, and Elreen Ando.
Hearing the Lupang Hinirang being played at an awarding ceremony is truly a moment of national pride for every Filipino. But seeing these fighters give their best under immense pressure is one proud moment that will always be inspirational.
Mabuhay and atletang Pilipino!
(Ramon Rafael C. Bonilla is the Sports Editor of Manila Bulletin.)