GIANT LEAP
It is Patafa’s honor to have the first Tokyo Olympics qualifier from its ranks
Ernest John Obiena became the first Filipino to qualify in next year’s Olympic Games after clearing the 5.81 meters for another gold-medal performance in the pole vault event in Chiara, Italy on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
The former University of Santo Toas standout erased his personal mark of 5.76 meters he established in the 30th Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy last July to bag another gold.
Obiena’s recent feat surpassed the qualifying standard of 5.80 meters for men’s pole vault in the coming 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan, according to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico.
“It is Patafa’s honor to have the first Tokyo Olympics qualifier from its ranks. EJ’s feat comes at a time when the Philippines faces various daunting challenges in the international front including the 30th Southeast Asian Games and this should inspire other athletes,” said Juico in a statement.
“It took EJ five years of intense and dedicated training, countless international competitions, the most modern coaching techniques and support from the Philippine Sports Commission, Ayala Corp., private individuals and most recently, the Management Association of the Philippines, to help EJ get to where he is right now and where he is headed.”
The 23-year old Obiena achieved the feat in a dramatic fashion as he cleared 5.81 meters on his third and final attempt to beat five other pole vaulters in the competition. Obiena attempted to erase the Asian record but failed to clear the 5.90 meters.
Perhaps due to the adrenalin, I felt as if I were floating in the air as I let go of the pole and went over the bar.
Nevertheless, it was a welcome result for Patafa.
“Perhaps due to the adrenalin, I felt as if I were floating in the air as I let go of the pole and went over the bar,” Obiena told Juico after his victory.
Juico added that Obiena’s triumph avoided the perilous route of qualifying based on the ranking.
“With hundreds of athletes competing for the limited spots in the Olympics, qualifying through the rankings, the system used in many sports without any qualifying standard would mean a long wait almost up to the last minute for the final rankings,” the statement added.
Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Steve Hontiveros and Philippine Football Federation and Tokyo Games Chief of Mission Mariano Araneta confirmed the entry of Obiena in next year’s Summer Games.