'Not done yet': EJ Obiena back in training after 4th place Olympic finish | ABS-CBN
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'Not done yet': EJ Obiena back in training after 4th place Olympic finish
'Not done yet': EJ Obiena back in training after 4th place Olympic finish
David Dizon,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 13, 2024 07:56 AM PHT
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Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena remains undaunted by his 4th place finish in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and is already back in training.
Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena remains undaunted by his 4th place finish in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and is already back in training.
In a Facebook post, Obiena said he is filled with gratitude after being inundated with messages after the Olympics.
In a Facebook post, Obiena said he is filled with gratitude after being inundated with messages after the Olympics.
“I am filled with gratitude for the support of all of you, and to be loved at times like this, by the country that raised me. I am indeed blessed!! Thank you!” he said.
“I am filled with gratitude for the support of all of you, and to be loved at times like this, by the country that raised me. I am indeed blessed!! Thank you!” he said.
He also noted that the measure of a man or woman is not a singular event like Olympics “but a cumulative or collective measure over time.”
He also noted that the measure of a man or woman is not a singular event like Olympics “but a cumulative or collective measure over time.”
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“I finished 4th in Paris, close but not good enough. I am not measured by this. I am measured by my career,” he said.
“I finished 4th in Paris, close but not good enough. I am not measured by this. I am measured by my career,” he said.
“I commit to everyone now, I am back in training, I am back in the game, and I am going to attack the rest of the season and make you proud. You are going to see more from me, and see the Philippine flag raised and raised on a global stage. Let’s get on with it!”
“I commit to everyone now, I am back in training, I am back in the game, and I am going to attack the rest of the season and make you proud. You are going to see more from me, and see the Philippine flag raised and raised on a global stage. Let’s get on with it!”
He finished his post with the hashtag “notdoneyet.”
He finished his post with the hashtag “notdoneyet.”
The 6-foot-2 star, who is ranked the World No. 2 pole vaulter, placed fourth in the Meeting de Paris in France after failing to clear 5.85m twice and 5.95 in his last try.
The 6-foot-2 star, who is ranked the World No. 2 pole vaulter, placed fourth in the Meeting de Paris in France after failing to clear 5.85m twice and 5.95 in his last try.
He earlier revealed that he was battling various physical problems since April prior to his Olympic performance.
He earlier revealed that he was battling various physical problems since April prior to his Olympic performance.
Obiena's advisor and friend Jim Lafferty later confirmed Obiena has had a recurring issue in the lumbar part of his spine, which started 2 years ago.
Obiena's advisor and friend Jim Lafferty later confirmed Obiena has had a recurring issue in the lumbar part of his spine, which started 2 years ago.
“What EJ went through 10 days into the games was quite a shock. He has had a recurring issue in the lumbar part of his spine. He's had some issues in the connective issues which led to muscle spasming, pain, and the inability to vault," he said in an online press conference.
“What EJ went through 10 days into the games was quite a shock. He has had a recurring issue in the lumbar part of his spine. He's had some issues in the connective issues which led to muscle spasming, pain, and the inability to vault," he said in an online press conference.
He noted that the pain was so bad, the pole vaulter had to book a quick trip to Italy before the Olympics for a quick procedure and ease the pain.
He noted that the pain was so bad, the pole vaulter had to book a quick trip to Italy before the Olympics for a quick procedure and ease the pain.
"What did we do? We put EJ on a plane to Italy. Over a 24-hour period, he left France, flew to Rome, met with doctors, had the procedure done, and then we put him back on a plane to France, and then had to take a 48-hour recovery from the shot. Only then did he start to gradually work his way back," he added.
"What did we do? We put EJ on a plane to Italy. Over a 24-hour period, he left France, flew to Rome, met with doctors, had the procedure done, and then we put him back on a plane to France, and then had to take a 48-hour recovery from the shot. Only then did he start to gradually work his way back," he added.
Obiena earlier indicated that he intends to bounce back from the painful result.
Obiena earlier indicated that he intends to bounce back from the painful result.
"I have been knocked down. But I will get back up," he said in an Instagram post.
"I have been knocked down. But I will get back up," he said in an Instagram post.
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