HANOI. – Asian record holder Ernest John Obiena looked good obliterating the field in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games in just two leaps last Saturday.
But according to Obiena’s Italian physiotherapist, Antonio Guglietta, the Tokyo Olympian is just halfway through his full potential in the games here.
Imagine what he can do in peak form.
“He is just in his middle form in these games” said Guglietta, who was also a member of Obiena’s team during the Tokyo Olympics.
“I think that EJ (will have) a perfect performance in July,” added Guglietta, referring to the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in the United States on July 15 to 24, 2022
Obiena had an initial leap of 5.4 meters to clinch the pole vault gold medal last Saturday, and a second one at 5.46 to smash his own SEA Games record of 5.45.
With the gold and new record safely tucked under his belt, Obiena aimed at his own personal best and Asian record of 5.93 by setting the bar at 5.94 meters. He tried thrice but failed.
Teammate Hokett Delos Santos bagged the silver with a jump of 5.00 meters.
“Almost there, but masyado pang maaga ‘yung volume ng training; he is not that well rested pa,” said Obiena’s father-coach Emerson, who expects EJ to be a hundred percent in Eugene. “Tapering muna, then doon siya magpi-peak.”
Before the World Championships, Obiena, 26, will compete on May 29 in a local Italian tournament near Formia, Italy where he trains.
“I was expecting a tougher competition, to be honest. I really feel bad for those two Thai guys. I totally feel it because that one guy is coming out of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury just like me before,” said Obiena, referring to Thailand’s Patsapong Amsamarng and Kasinpob Chomchanad who failed to finish due to leg cramps.
“I just wanted to help them get back, but they were in pain and had a bad day. Everybody is cramping up and for some reason two Filipinos didn’t suffer cramps,” Obiena said.
“I remember telling myself that I didn’t want to win this way, but that’s the brutal side of the sport,” he added, recalling that an ACL injury denied him the chance to compete in the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.
