(SPOT.ph) The wins just keep coming in for the Philippines! As of Day 11 of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, the country already has four medals: one gold from weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, one silver from boxer Nesthy Petecio, and two more guaranteed medals (at least bronze) from boxers Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial. And while pole vaulter EJ Obiena didn't clinch the podium finish during the finals round against 13 other athletes, he impressed Filipinos with how he fought for his right to fair play.
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Obiena cleared the bar at 5.55 meters on his first attempt; but it took him three tries to complete the 5.7-meter round. Then, during his third attempt to cross the bar at 5.8 meters height, he noticed that the bar was still moving during his turn. He went ahead and ran because the timer already started, but wasn't able to take off because he knew that there's something wrong with the set-up. That being his last chance to clear the round, he was in danger of getting eliminated from the competition.
Knowing that he's in the right, Obiena went up to the judges and the referee, and repeatedly said, "How can I jump if it's moving?" The officials confirmed what happened and he was given another chance after the heated discussion.
[twitter:https://twitter.com/dreicaceres/status/1422525229042044928]
The Filipino athlete's decision to speak up was lauded by the people of the Internet. He may have failed to clear the 5.80-meter round (after emotions were running high), but he was successful in inspiring people to assert their rights.
[twitter:https://twitter.com/MickeyInglesLaw/status/1422526941677060098]
[twitter:https://twitter.com/dino_mars/status/1422526289638952966]
[twitter:https://twitter.com/paulmarkkeu/status/1422529761503445008]
[twitter:https://twitter.com/john_fayleeks/status/1422529631849115648]
[twitter:https://twitter.com/attorneymelvs/status/1422527274985746432]
Obiena, who is coached by his father, bemedaled pole vaulter Emerson Obiena—broke the Philippines' national record for pole vault in 2014. He would go on to surpass his own numbers several times in the same year. The Filipino athlete bagged the silver medal at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, the bronze medal at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships in India, and three gold medals at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Doha, 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, and 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples.
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Source: Spot PH
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