Obiena aims to shine in Diamond
Making an impact would be EJ Obiena’s order of business when he competes in the men’s pole vault event of the prestigious Diamond League in Monaco next month.
Obiena, the first Filipino to qualify in the Tokyo Olympics, said he couldn’t wait to see action in a high-level tournament following a long layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic in his training camp in Formia, Italy.
The reigning Southeast Asian Games champion said he is in good shape, enough to land him in the upper crust of the Diamond League, which is the most elite tournament organized by the International Amateur Athletics Federation next to the Olympics.
I am confirmed in the Diamond League in Monaco. That’s going to be a big one.
“I am confirmed in the Diamond League in Monaco. That’s going to be a big one,” Obiena said, adding that he is looking to intensify his training in preparation for the Summer Games next year.
“Then, I will be competing somewhere here in Italy. We’re actually in the process of finalizing the schedule of the competitions.”
Knowing that the Diamond League is no cakewalk, the 24-year-old vaulter said he would temper his expectations but will show up prepared to shine against the best athletes in the world.
“I’m into it. To be honest, I am not expecting good results for this period. It’s just to start the season after everything that happened before,” he said, citing his setbacks brought by the Olympic cancellation and his shin injury right after restarting his training.
“I’m starting to feel that rush of competition again. I really love competing, especially when I’m fit and healthy.”
With Italy slowly easing everything back to normal, Obiena said he can now switch his preparation with noted coach Vitaly Petrov to a higher gear, similar to what Natalie Uy had been doing in the United States when she broke the national record recently.
“Hopefully, nothing bad would happen as we approach the tournament. They only thing that would hinder me there is if I test positive for coronavirus, which — hopefully — won’t happen,” he said.
“I miss this kind of rush that I know I need to perform and prepare to have some sense of direction.” IAN SUYU