More in the tank: EJ Obiena finding groove again
Don’t count EJ Obiena out just yet.
After a series of setbacks dropped him out of the top 10 of the world pole vault rankings, Obiena is steadily finding his groove again, with his recent results suggesting a promising career resurgence.
“I’m very happy, I’m very proud. I think I’m slowly, slowly getting back to the confidence that I used to have. I’m excited to keep competing and see what the season has in store for me,” Obiena told Rappler.
Change of scenery
His return to form has been shaped by the foundation he built in Formia, Italy, under the tutelage of renowned Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov, and the new chapter he is forging in Athens, Greece, where he now trains with the group of his good friend and Olympic medalist Emmanouil Karalis.
Now 30 years old, Obiena made the tough decision to part ways with Petrov and move out of Formia after his former training partners, China’s Huang Bokai and Saudi Arabia’s Hussain Al-Hizam, took on new responsibilities outside of the sport.
According to Obiena, Huang became a father, while Al-Hizam got married, with both athletes seeing limited action over the past year.
“Those two guys that I usually train with day in, day out were not with me for the past year and a half, I would say. So therefore, it’s tougher. It’s harder for me to train alone,” said Obiena.
“I just knew I needed someone to train with. And there’s nobody coming to Formia. It’s a decision that unfortunately needed to be made. And with that, I believe we both understood that and we both believed that it’s the best path for me to go. That’s why Vitaly agreed and it was a mutual decision from that day.”
Linking up with Karalis proved to be a no-brainer for Obiena.
Obiena knows Karalis is someone who can bring the best out in him, the Greek star ranking second only to reigning two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden in the world rankings.
After Duplantis, Karalis owns the second-highest mark in the history of the sport with a 6.17-meter clearance.
Working with Karalis has also allowed Obiena to benefit from the expertise of a well-rounded coaching staff led by Polish mentor Marcin Szczepanski, which is also a big reason why he relocated to Athens.
“Training with Emmanouil is highly beneficial for me because he’s someone that’s jumping higher right now and has jumped consistently. I want to have that day-in, day-out competition every time I step on the track,” said Obiena.
“At the same time, I know there’s not going to be a lot of drama because I’ve trained with him. I’ve seen how this guy is. I love the guy, I respect him, and I believe he respects me. I think with that, it’s almost like a no-nonsense decision to decide I want to train with this guy.”
But even as he embarked on a new chapter in his career, Obiena does not want to lose sight of his roots as he makes it a point to stay in touch with Petrov, who was instrumental in his rise as a top pole vaulter throughout their 12-year partnership.
Under Petrov, Obiena reached a career-high No. 2 ranking, won historic silver and bronze medals in the World Athletics Championships, and became the only Asian member of the exclusive six-meter club.
“Vitaly has been more than just a coach to me. Vitaly has been like my father here. He’s been a really, really good coach, and at the same time, a really, really good life mentor. So that decision was not easy” said Obiena.
“Even though it was mutually, I would say, achieved upon doesn’t make it less difficult. It’s like, quote unquote, getting a divorce. Let’s put it that way. It’s a relationship that I still really cherish. I’m very thankful to what Vitaly has done and still doing.”
“I call him from time to time. I don’t want to lose my connection with Vitaly. He has opened doors — so much doors — for me… and it says a lot about the way he is.”
Back on track
The change of scenery seems to be working wonders for Obiena.
After falling short of the 5.80-meter bar for nearly a year, Obiena cleared the height in three straight meets in July, posting 5.81 meters for fourth place in the Fly Athens in Greece, 5.80 meters for sixth place in the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary, and a season-best 5.85 meters for second place in the Meeting Madrid in Spain.
His clearance in the Meeting Madrid is actually his highest in two years, or since he made 5.90 meters in the Paris Olympics, where he lost the bronze to Karalis on countback.
“It’s not just because I moved here, suddenly I jump high. It’s cumulative work that I’ve done for the last year and a half. And with that, I hope that I continue to show what I could do and I believe that there’s more in the tank,” said Obiena.
For Obiena, seeing his efforts pay off has been a breath of fresh air after two challenging years following the Olympics.
He battled injuries during and after the Olympics that sidelined him for months then slipped out of the world top 10 after a string of disappointing finishes, including a failed bid to reach the final of the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Obiena now ranks 14th in the world.
It got to the point where Obiena questioned whether he still had what it takes to perform at the elite level.
“You always question if you can still do it. I think it’s a question that you ask yourself every time there’s a rough day. Am I still the same guy? Am I still capable? Am I still able to compete at the highest level? Am I still happy with what I’m doing? Am I still able to make the sacrifices? That’s a constant question, it’s not just on a bad day, on a good day,” he said.
“I gave myself a bit of an ultimatum. If this year I don’t jump over 5.80 and I keep jumping 70, 70, 70, then maybe, maybe it’s time to consider being done with the sport. But thankfully, God-willing, I feel like I have more than 5.80 in me and I’m slowly, knock on wood, slowly and trying to stay healthy. We’ll see how the season goes.”
On Friday, July 31, Obiena captured his sixth gold of the year by ruling the 1st International Pole Vault Meeting in Halberstadt, Germany, where he tallied 5.76 meters.
That result bodes well for Obiena as he aims to once again crack the world top 10.
“A really realistic goal for me is to be back in the top 10 in the world. It’s not going to be simple, it’s not easy, but I believe it’s doable. I hope that I would have that possibility in the near future,” he said.
Obiena also looks forward to his title defense in the Asian Games to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya, Japan, where he is touted as one of the Philippines’ top gold bets.
“I’m just excited to compete and be having fun again in competition and seeing what I could do,” he said.
“Having a positive mindset is always helpful, not like clueless positivity but like real positivity that comes within. I think that’s very helpful for me right now. I hope it continues,” Obiena added.
“I guess I’m a little bit more mature, I have a deeper respect for the sport that I do, understanding what it takes to be at the top of the game, not take anything for granted. A bit of knowledge here and there, a little bit smarter hopefully day in, day out.” – Rappler.com
