TEAM Philippines, local track and field and anxious sports fans back home finally got the golden breakthrough they anxiously awaited Saturday night when pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena handily ruled his event in record-breaking fashion in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Before an appreciative crowd at the 80,000-seat Hangzhou Olympic Center Stadium, Obiena reasserted his supremacy in Asia in just his fourth jump of 5.90 meters, erasing the previous Asian Games record of 5.70 meters set by Japan’s Seito Yamamoto in the 2018 games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The holder of the Asian and national record of six meters flat, Obiena tried to please the gallery, aiming to set a new standard at 6.02 meters, but was apparently spent from all the excitement and failed in three attempts.
China’s Huang Bokai finished a distant second (5.65m), relegating Hussain Asim Al Hizam to the bronze on the countback.
“Oh, I’m resting,” said Obiena after his record-smashing, history-making performance.
Asked if he’s preparing for the Paris Olympics after the games, Obiena aired his determination to rest. “I’m not thinking about it (Olympics) now.”
President Marcos Jr. late Sunday extended his congratulations to Obiena for bagging the first gold medal of the Philippines in the Asiad.
The President, who took to social media in sending his greetings, also congratulated taekwondo jin Patrick King Perez, wushu artists Jones Inso, Gideon Padua, and Clemente Tabugara Jr., and tennis players Alex Eala and Francis Casey Alcantara for winning medals in their respective events.
The Presidential Communications Office said Malacanang also congratulated wushu artist Arnel Mandal for winning the silver medal.
Obiena’s triumphant finish ended the country’s 37-year-old athletics barren run in the quadrennial continental showcase since the late great sprinter Lydia de Vega won the women’s 100-meter dash in a closely-fought clash with India’s P.T. Usha in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games.
Obiena, who finished seventh with a jump of 5.30m in the Jakarta Asiad, finally gave the embattled national contingent its first gold exactly a week after the sportsfest opened at the same arena with the athlete himself as one of the flag-bearers together with skateboarder Margie Didal.
Among those who witnessed the feat was Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who was caught on camera pumping his fists and yelling “Yes!!!” in joy and relief that the lanky athlete had delivered the Philippine delegation’s first mint.
“This just goes to show what a talented athlete like EJ can do one he truly sets his mind to it,” said elated Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano, who also witnessed the milestone and personally awarded the gold to Obiena.
“This is a huge boost for both Philippine sports because it shows not only do we have an outstanding athlete who can excel at the world stage but is a role model for all Filipinos,” Capistrano noted. “His example shows that given the talent and proper training, there is a future in track and field.
“We hope that Obiena’s example will inspire more young people to be inspired to take up our sport.” — With Jocelyn Montemayor
