AFTER a record-breaking performance at the Busan International Pole Vault Championship last May, UST Trackster Ernest John Obiena continues to etch his name in the international scene after a silver-medal finish at the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore last June 6 to 9.
Obiena set a new Philippine record of 5.3 meters at the Busan meet before landing on second place with a 5.25-meter finish in the recently concluded SEA Games.
Thai Pooranut Purahong logged at 5.30 meters, identical to Obiena’s local record, to win the pole-vaulting gold medal in Singapore.
The 19-year-old pole vaulter she had mixed emotions despite achieving two impressive feats in a span of two months.
“Well, I will say I am happy but not contented. I know that I could have gotten the gold in the SEA Games. Just some bad decisions made me fumble and lose by 5 cm to the Thai,” Obiena said.
Just a month after the SEA Games, Obiena wants to set the bar higher and is going to Italy for training.
“I will use this missed opportunity to fuel my hunger to improve and be a better athlete. I have more or less a year. My plans are to do what I can and to push my limit so that I could achieve the goal. I will [go] to Italy to have one of the best trainings in the world and we will see what will happen,” Obiena told the Varsitarian.
With Obiena still donning the black and gold for UST this upcoming UAAP Season 78, he has one goal in mind for the Tracksters.
“In UST, hopefully, I’ll be able to contribute big to the team. I hope we become champions,” Obiena said. Clarence I. Hormachuelos
