By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
It’s a simple, straightforward approach, but world-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena admits it’s going to be a daunting task in achieving his goal of winning the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As soon as his vacation in the Philippines is over, it’s going to be business as usual for the Tokyo Olympian and two-time Southeast Asian Games champion.
“This would be my last vacation before the Paris Olympics,” said Obiena, who is in the country for a much-needed break for the first time in three years.
“You know me, I keep saying that in every competition, I want to win the gold… That’s what I want to achieve in Paris (Olympics).”
“I know it’s gonna be tough, it’s gonna be a challenge and I’m welcoming the challenge.”
Obiena, ranked third in the world, is expected to be back in Formia, Italy to train with renowned Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov. He said he and his team would be beefing up his training by incorporating a more scientific approach in his bid to breach the elusive 6-meter mark.
“We’re looking at adding more scientific equipment to maximize my potential,” he said.
One of the devices they are looking at is a laser measuring alum stick used by high jumpers and pole vaulters to measure speed.
“Hopefully we’ll get it soon, get it set up and be able to maximize my speed on the runway,” he said.
Obiena has been aiming to breach the 6-meter mark – a height that only 24 athletes have achieved so far including world record-holder and reigning Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis – but was unsuccessful in the recently-concluded season.
His personal best is the national and Asian record of 5.94 meters he posted for a historic bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last July.
