February 27, 2016, 2:09p.m. – UST’s Ernest John Obiena missed a chance to compete in the Olympics after a forgettable stint in Qatar last Feb. 20.
But Obiena will have another opportunity when he competes in Singapore on March 5.
Obiena, who placed fourth in the pole event in the Asian Indoor Athletics, only managed to jump 5.40 meters in the Qatar meet. It’s six centimeters short of his career and Philippine record of 5.46 meters, which he set in the UAAP three days prior to the Qatar meet.
“I was expecting that I would have enough rest, enough preparation, [and] familiarization with the place.
Kung sa UAAP frustrated ako, dito disappointed ako bigtime,” he told the Varsitarian.
Obiena said he arrived a day late because of a problem with his luggage.
The third-year engineering student said he had a bad jetlag after the nine-hour flight. He also suffered cramps prior to the competition which limited his attempts.
“I was trying to conserve my energy before the game so it won’t cramp again. Tinitipid ko talaga ‘yung attemps ko so I wouldn’t run as much.”
But even if Obiena failed to book the Olympic ticket in Qatar, he still has several chances to secure his spot.
On March 5, Obiena will fly to Singapore in another attempt to become an Olympian.
“What I’m planning is to slowly, if not get the standard (5.70 m) right away, at least closer to the standard.” John Chester P. Fajardo
