EJ OBIENA is moving on from the unimpressive showing in the qualifiers in the men’s pole vault of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The 25-year-old Obiena needed three attempts to clear 5.75 meters and clinch a spot in the final to be held on Tuesday at the National Stadium.
Obiena’s father and coach Emerson is no longer looking back at the qualifiers, with his son now prepared for the medal chase.
“Erase na ‘yung nangyari sa qualifying, back to zero, start from scratch,” said the elder Obiena.
The elder Obiena said EJ was unperturbed by the two missed attempts and proved that he can easily clear the bar that is below his personal best of 5.87 meters.
“Relieved ako noong nasukat na ni EJ at more relaxed na siya sa last jump,” said Emerson.
EJ Obiena is set to battle a field that includes heavy favorite Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who holds the world record of 6.18 meters .in the event.
Obiena, ranked No. 6 in the world, said he is “chillin” a day before the final.
“I’ll talk to coach Vitaly (Petrov) for the game plan,” said Obiena, No. 11 in the order of play in Tuesday’s final.
Other medal contenders in pole vault are Piotr Lisek of Poland, Renauld Lavillenie of France, and Christopher Nilsen of the United States, ranked third to fifth in the world ranking, and Olympic reigning champion Thiago Braz of Brazil.
Also in the final are Bo Kanda Lite Baehre of Germany, KC Lightfoot of the United States, Kurtis Marschall of Australia, Nenno Vloon of Netherlands, Emmanuel Karalis of Greece, Harry Coppell of Great Britain, Ersu Sasma of Turkey, and Oleg Zernikel of Germany.
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