EJ up for challenge

MANILA, Philippines — PATAFA president Terry Capistrano said yesterday World No. 3 pole vaulter EJ Obiena is smarter and working harder with less unnecessary distractions in preparing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. “EJ is surrounded by people who love him,” said Capistrano. “That’s 50 percent of the job to get to where he should be. It was a rocky start but we’re getting there. PSC takes care of about 50 NSAs and PATAFA is only one of many. But PSC is exerting every effort in getting EJ the things he needs to succeed. We need to understand why government is prudent in disbursing expenditures because it’s taxpayers’ money.”

Obiena said he wouldn’t be where he is without the backing of PSC, POC, PATAFA and his support group. “There are clearer instructions, paperwork is simpler and things are moving in a timely manner,” he said. “Thanks to PSC chairman (Richard) Bachmann, POC president Mayor Bambol (Tolentino) and Sir Terry. It hasn’t been easy. From when I tore my ACL to what happened last year. Mine is an individual sport but a lot of people are involved in enabling me. I’m blessed to be around people who care.”

Capistrano said in his message congratulating Obiena for jumping six meters last weekend, he threw a challenge to do 6.25. “I told him six isn’t good enough,” said Capistrano jokingly. “I’m confident he’s up to the challenge. EJ has a busy schedule ahead with the Asian Athletics Championships, World Championships and Asian Games, not to mention the other competitions lined up in Europe.” The Olympic qualifying period begins July 1 and Obiena plans to clear the minimum 5.82 in a Stockholm competition the next day.

Obiena said clearing six meters was surreal. “With two extra steps, I had more speed to the runway,” he noted. “I didn’t rush it, I let it go through the phases, hit the box and elevate the moment I planted. When I went up, I asked myself why am I not feeling the bar? That’s when it sunk in that I did it. After landing, I sprinted over to coach Vitaly (Petrov), put my head on his shoulder and started crying. Two of my poles did six meters that day because I lent my other pole to KC (Lightfoot).” Obiena and Lightfoot both jumped six but the gold went to the Filipino for clearing it with one try while it took the American two.

Obiena’s benefactor Jim Lafferty said while the incident of nearly losing his national athlete status is past, it defined and toughened him. “The country embraced him for overcoming it,” said Lafferty. “He’s grateful to Terry for helping him get up. I remember climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with a blind man who told me blindness was a blessing because it made him tougher than he’s ever been. It’s like what EJ went through and now, he’s a better man.”