February 17, 2016, 11:48p.m. – UST TRACKSTER Ernest John Obiena will leap for his Olympic dream this weekend after carving another milestone in Philippine sports.
Obiena left UAAP Season 78 with a gold medal in the pole vault event after setting a record-breaking 4.56-meter jump.
But he said he was “frustrated” with his performance, despite breaking his previous UAAP record.
“Even though maganda ‘yung results sa paper, I know I could have jumped higher,” Obiena told the Varsitarian.
The pole vaulter admitted he was anxious at the start of the event after failing to clear anything in six tries during his last training. He said this was the reason he opted for an insurance 4.65-meter trial.
However, his jump was enough to break his previous 4.50-meter record two years ago when he was still playing for Ateneo de Manila.
“Dahil dito sa UAAP nakita ko na kaya kong tumalon ng 5.60 meters, kaya kong ma-hit `yung [Olympic] standard,” he said.
Obiena will fly to Qatar tomorrow for the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships on Feb. 20, and will try to book his ticket to the Rio Olympics should he make a 5.60-meter jump or the 5.70-meter Olympic standard.
The Trackster has a personal-best of 5.45 meters and is only 25 centimeters away from clinching the coveted Olympic spot.
“I’m hoping for the best. In God’s will and with support and prayers, hopefully I’ll make it.” John Chester P. Fajardo
