Sad news to Filipino sports fans.
Two-time Olympian and 2022 Asian Games gold medalist EJ Obiena will sit out the rest of the sports meets this 2024 due to a spine injury.
"I am sorry to announce that I must call a premature close to my 2024 season," Obiena said in his social media accounts on Wednesday, August 28.
After missing out a podium finish during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, the camp of Obiena revealed that a back injury hindered the preparations of the pole vaulter for the Summer Games.
While he continued to compete in tournaments after the Paris Games, Obiena shared that his back pain 'flared up' during the Silesia leg of the Diamond League in Poland.
The Asian record holder finished at fifth place in the men's pole vault tournament of the said athletics meet on Sunday, August 25, after clearing 5.82 meters.
After the competition, Obiena flew to Italy and a series of test confirmed that he fratured his spine.
"I immediately went to my doctor in Italy, and the MRI revealed what appeared to be a stress fracture in my spine. Unfortunately, a later CAT scan confirmed the diagnosis. I have a fractured L5 vertebra," Obiena said.
Obiena decided to rest for the remainder of 2024 in order to avoid worsening the fracture, and expressed hope that he will return pain free in the 2025 indoor athletics season.
"Competing in Olympics with a spinal fracture was a risk I am willing to take (And as it ends up, I did take 🙂) but now I need to make decisions with my head, not my emotions," the Filipino pole vaulter said.
"The best thing to do right now, with ensuring my best future, is to rest and recuperate and come back even stronger," he added.
The decision of Obiena, who currently holds the third spot in the men's world rankings, also means that he will not see action in the inaugural Philippines Pole Vault competition on September 20, a tournament that he initiated.
