Filipino pole-vaulter EJ Obiena just broke the fresh new federal checklist (again): He conversations Tokyo Olympics, Mondo Duplantis, and you may impact the latest like throughout the Philippines within our exclusive cam.
EJ Obiena was smiling when he pops up with the EstГґnia esposa videocall. “Sorry, was just performing my Covid decide to try,” he states, “it is bad, very that’s great news.”
It’s the newest great news during the a very good blast of an excellent news to own EJ whoever unbelievable interior seasons gave cure for an incredible backyard year toward Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games simply months away.
Obiena features many times broken federal facts and you can skyrocketed themselves on the top of podium more globe winner Sam Kendricks and you may Olympic gold medallist Thiago Braz.
Private! EJ Obiena set landscapes towards the Philippines’ basic previously Olympic gold: “This is the objective”
To your Obiena set an alternative Filipino number of 5.85m, winning the fresh Jump and Travel race when you look at the Mossingen, Germany, one to draw exceeded his personal checklist of five.81 that he place in when you look at the Chiari, Italy – a dot one produced him the first Filipino so you’re able to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
New Olympic postponement gave Obiena annually to work more difficult and go higher and from now on they are climbing continuously towards the miracle 6m mark, placing themselves regarding the reckoning into the podium on rescheduled during the summer off 2021.
This pole-vaulter ‘s the pride out-of Filipino track and field which will be in the definitely in the their mission at the Tokyo Games:
“Win the fresh gold, that’s it guy. That is an extremely difficult mission to achieve, but that is the target. This is why I am doing all of this, to not ever get second and never to obtain third. to help you profit they.” – EJ Obiena
Should Obiena take action he would get to be the first ever Filipino so you’re able to profit a keen Olympic silver medal, forever writing his title to your Olympic lore out-of a country excited about athletics.
Continue reading for it private interviews toward Philippine eagle, regarding their Olympic aims to the Filipino dinner the guy misses (Including new coconut h2o, mangoes and you will Jollibbee!), exactly how Covid nearly made your give up and you will go back home, and his 75-year-old advisor Vitaly Petrov exactly who sure your to save supposed.
We in addition to discover how he looks after their mental health away from your home, new family they are generated, his girlfriend having plus a runner, together with overwhelming support he seems away from Filipinos all over.
How highest normally EJ Obiena go?
5.62m (5th) during the Karlsruhe Business Interior Tour, 5.80m (1st) from the ISTAF Berlin, 5.68m (1st) inside the Dortmund, 5.60m (5th) at the WA indoor Journey Silver when you look at the Lievin, 5.86m (2nd) within Orlen Cup when you look at the Lodz, 5.80m (3rd) within Copernicus Cup, Torun.
Today he’s got their views set on the fresh Western list out of 5.93, but also for EJ it isn’t everything about brand new wide variety.
“Thus i have this level purpose top that i need certainly to go but at the same time its not all competition gifts new window of opportunity for that build one to pub, you realize. In terms of battle, We notice much more about the brand new bar which is lay at this time.
“Starting race, when you consider the latest checklist and you will some body jumps over you to list, you may be generally for example, oh s. I must diving greater than that?
“So i think a knowledgeable brand of psychology entering battle is simply that we should be he just who jumps greater than the remainder profession. We work at successful the latest fits.”
Their outdoor season first started amazingly when he cleared 5.80 so you’re able to ideal the fresh new podium inside Summer, he then cleaned that Olympic important once more at the 2021 FBK Video game on Netherlands, where the guy stepped up to the podium about only Mondo, who cleared six.10m.
