ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA added a new address where he could be reached: the podium as he competes around Europe with his pole vault during the indoor season.
Obiena made it appear that way with his silver medal finish at the ISTAF Berlin staged over the weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
That was the 27-year-old Obiena’s sixth podium finish in all six tournaments he has competed in since late January, thus making it look like he has three homes now—Tondo in Manila, Formia in Italy and the podium in any country in Europe.
Obiena cleared 5.82 meters to finish behind world No. 1 Armand Duplantis, who looked unbeatable with his 6.06-meter jump.
But Obiena could have perhaps leapt higher if not for minor back spasms that have been bothering him lately—he didn’t have his physiotherapist with him in Berlin.
“I took three jumps and then I tried 5.91-m but my back just felt spasm so I stopped,” Obiena told BusinessMirror via voice message. “I still ended up with a silver. That last two attempts were [expletive] and I couldn’t even run anymore.”
Australia’s Kurtis Marschall also cleared 5.82 meters but was shoved to the bronze medal after the countback in the event that lured eight athletes.
Obiena’s personal adviser Jim Lafferty told BusinessMirror on Sunday that Obiena’s condition “is day-to-day and there’s no plan yet on his next tournament.”
“He is having some back spasms and his physio isn’t with him due to the financial reasons,” Lafferty said. “So now we see the result of the financial issues. We are day to day now.”
Obiena has yet to receive his financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission—a predicament he aired in his Facebook post last week.
Obiena started the indoor season with a silver medal at the Internationales Springer-Meeting in Cottbus, Germany, last January 26, followed by a gold medal at the Perche En Or in Roubaix, France, three days later.
He got a bronze medal at the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden, last February 3 went on to a two gold medal spree at the Orlen Cup last February 5 and Copernicus Cup last February 9 both in Poland.
He’s now 3-2-1 gold-silver-bronze so far in his indoor campaign.