World-class pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who returned to Manila last Sunday, has modest dreams in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
First, he has to come within range of 5.85 meters, while in training.
This is the height reached by American Sam Kendricks when he won the bronze medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“For me, it’s still far. It will be 5.85 meters and little higher than that,” said Obiena yesterday during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Ermita, Manila.
Obiena, who is preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, had expressed disappointment with his recent performance in the recent International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Doha Qatar.
The 23-year old Obiena narrowly missed the finals of his first IAAF World Championships when he finished 15th among 35 entries.
He cleared with a 5.60 meter effort during the men’s pole vault qualifications.
Only the top 12 made it with leaps from 5.70 to 5.75 meters.
Last September, Obiena already cleared this height range early this year in the same venue in Doha during April’s Asian Championships and at the World Universiade in July in Napoli, Italy and at an IAAF in Leverkussen, Germany.
This was after he set a new Philippine record at 5.81 meters set last September 3 in Chiarri, Italy, where he earned the first Tokyo Olympic berth for the Philippines.
“My technique is still not perfect. My strength is still not there,” added Obiena, who was around with his parents, Emerson and Jeannette.
Despite his shortcomings, Obiena, who has been picked as one of the five proposed flag-bearers for the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, remained positive.
While the SEA Games is coming near, Obiena said his stint at the Olympics will be the focus of his preparations.
“So, there’s still a lot of work to do,” added Obiena.