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EJ Obiena at the 20th Asian Games. POC Media
NAGOYA – After a golden season and a change in training base, two-time Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena is feeling "reborn" with a new perspective on the sport.
Obiena stamped his class as the best pole vaulter in Asia, leaping his way to gold and setting a new Games record at 5.91-m on Tuesday at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
The 30-year-old is in high spirits and in a better place both mentally and physically – positive signs heading into run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
READ: EJ Obiena rules Asiad pole vault anew, delivers PH's third gold
"The first one [Asian Games gold] is definitely special. More special than this. The emotional high of a first is definitely something. But this one, I feel like it's a bit of a reborn, a little bit of a different me. And with that, I'm satisfied," Obiena told POC Media.
After going through tough times following the 2024 Paris Olympics, the two-time Asian Games gold medalist believe he's back on track with a fresh mindset.
READ: EJ Obiena 'very satisfied' to end 2026 season with Asiad gold
"I think I was not enjoying the sport as much as I should. And I think that took a toll on me in a way. Like, I'm not feeling the excitement. I feel not, I wouldn't say empty, but kind of empty. Like, without the excitement, without the feeling of the pressure, without what I felt today, it's been a while," he shared.
"And to be honest, I missed it. And with that, I would say it's a bit of a reborn. Much different perspective than it was. A little bit of fun, a little bit of reality. Like I said, I'm still digesting why and where exactly I'm at," Obiena added.
With the way things are going for Obiena, he does not see any reason why he would not go for another shot at the 2028 LA Olympics.
"I'm enjoying myself. So, I think for sure, if I'm healthy, God willing, I qualify in all of these things, I don't see why not. And as long as I'm having fun, I think I'm going to keep jumping. That is something new for me, to be honest. That's something I've never thought I would ever see myself do," he shared.
"And with that, I need to understand why exactly am I doing that and kind of regroup myself and see why exactly am I excited to go to training, which. I probably shouldn't, but you know why? So, like, that's something because I have this different, I guess, different situation, different aura. It's difficult to describe because I still don't know it," Obiena explained.
For now, the two-time Olympic pole vaulter will get some much-needed rest and time to bond with his family in Manila before going back to the grind in Athens, Greece.
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