EJ’s display of guts

TOKYO – PATAFA president Terry Capistrano arrived here from Paris last Thursday to attend business meetings and support the De La Salle University men’s basketball team that’s playing in the World University Series at the Yoyogi National Stadium. Capistrano heads the Archers’ management group.

For two weeks, Capistrano was in Paris where pole vaulter EJ Obiena, 400m hurdler Lauren Hoffman and 110m hurdler John Cabang competed in the Olympics. Obiena came close to a podium finish, missing out on a bronze despite clearing the same 5.90 height as third placer Emmanouil Karalis because he had one failed attempt at the 5.80 bar. However, he made history as the first Asian ever to qualify in two Olympic finals. Hoffman clocked 57.84 in the heats for 38th place of 40 runners and 58.28 in repechage to finish 39th overall. Cabang did 13.66 in the heats for joint 31st of 40 then skipped the repechage due to a hip injury to end up last.

Capistrano said aside from caring for PATAFA’s three athletes, the highlight of his Paris experience was joining the opening parade of boats on the River Seine. “I remember as we walked from the Olympic Village to our bus on the way to the docks, it started to pour and we were given rain jackets but it wasn’t easy to put on,” he said. “Nesthy (Petecio) was kind enough to help me with my poncho.” The 18 athletes and officials on the boat were drenched as they removed the rain jackets to show off their Francis Libiran barongs while repping the country before 300,000 fans gathered at the quays and a world-wide TV and social media audience.

Capistrano said Obiena’s decision to skip a third attempt at 5.60 and jump 5.70 with only one try in the qualifying round was a display of guts. “EJ was on the brink but pulled through,” he said. “Then, he cleared 5.75 with one jump and qualified for the final. High expectations for EJ because he’s World No. 2. But not to make excuses, the fact is health is the biggest factor in sports. He had no issues with poles. For weeks, his osteopath Tony (Guglietta) worked on his back. EJ never complained. He knew what was at stake and just bit the bullet. In pole vault, a fraction of an inch or a slight twitch could make the difference. When you’re up in the air over 19 feet, you’re in a different world. EJ was determined to compete. This was what he had sacrificed so much for, a second chance at the Olympics.”

Capistrano said he thinks Obiena will finish the outdoor season in Europe. “He’ll head to Manila next week then go back to Formia (Italy),” he said. “Let this Olympic experience sink in, let things settle down. We’re proud of EJ, what he’s achieved, second in the World Championships last year, third the year before and now, fourth in the Olympics.”

Capistrano said Obiena’s Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov was apologetic. “I told Vitaly there’s nothing to be sorry about,” he said. “Of course, we’re disappointed. But EJ did his best, brought honor to our country and made us all proud.”

Whether Obiena will continue to train with the 2028 LA Olympics in sight is still to be determined. Obiena will be 32 by then. Paris silver medalist Sam Kendricks is 31 and will turn 32 next month. Tim Mack was a few weeks short of 32 when he jumped 5.95 for the gold at the 2004 Olympics. At 32, Obiena could still be at the peak of his career.