HANOI. – Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Asia’s top pole vaulter and Filipino pride Ernest John Obiena will finally assume the duty of flag bearer for Team Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, a role he was supposed to do, but eventually let go during the Tokyo Olympics.
Obiena arrived in Hanoi from Formia, Italy on Wednesday, just in time for the opening ceremonies on Thursday at the My Dinh National Stadium for the 31st edition of these games.
The 26-year-old Obiena, the world’s sixth best pole vaulter but Asia’s best with a World Athletics score of 1374, was nominated Team Philippines’ flag-bearer, together with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, but the weightlifting superstar decided it should be athletics’ pride.
“It’s a bigger honor kasi because ate Hidi (Diaz) said it should be me,” said an excited Obiena upon arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport.
Obiena was supposed to be Team Philippines’ Tokyo games flag-bearer but had to step down from the honor as his arrival schedule posed a conflict with the guidelines set by the organizing committee, which said flag bearers must be in Tokyo 48 hours before the opening ceremonies. Obiena’s arrival was on the day of the opening rites.
