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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 'Pain-free' Obiena looks forward to new season after SEAG gold

'Pain-free' Obiena looks forward to new season after SEAG gold

Published Dec 17, 2025 02:48 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — Ernest John Obiena is finally relishing a pain-free run in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games following a tough year that saw him battle through a nagging back injury.
BANGKOK — Ernest John Obiena is finally relishing a pain-free run in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games following a tough year that saw him battle through a nagging back injury.
Obiena secured his fourth gold medal in pole vault in the biennial meet behind a record-breaking jump of 5.70 meters.
Although still way lower than his usual jumps during his time as world No. 2 pole vaulter, Obiena is pretty much satisfied with his performance as he hopes to eventually step up his game as the season goes on.
“I'm on a good path, I think. Let's see. If we had the SEA Games earlier on, and with the same preparation that I had, I'd probably lose,” said Obiena.
“I'm in a much better space. I'm healthier. You didn't see me limping with my back, because finally, I'm pain-free. You know, so, I'm hoping the rest of the season will look this way,” he added.
Obiena still doesn't have the lineup for next year but the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest and the Asian Games in Nagoya are surely in the pipeline.
And for the Filipino pole vault star, he’s taking every opportunity to get back into his top shape and in the top 10 of the world rankings.
“I'm excited. Looking forward to that. Let's see if that kind of holds for the rest of the season, because I'm running off 60, which is four steps shorter, which is longer than my usual approach,” said Obiena.
“Considering where I'm coming from last year, and how lucky it is, I'm happy with how I jumped. In that aspect, I'm happy,” he added.
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