By Brian Jules Campued
Vowing to come back stronger, World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and golfer Bianca Pagdanganan remained grateful for raising the Philippine flag on the global stage, despite ending their respective 2024 Paris Olympics campaign in 4th place.
Both athletes narrowly missed out on a podium finish in their respective tournaments, with Obiena losing to third placer Emmanouil Karalis of Greece due to countback after clearing 5.90 meters in the pole vault finals.
Pagdanganan, meanwhile, finished the women’s golf individual stroke play at six-under 282 which put her in medal contention for bronze before China’s Janet Lin fired a birdie and went on to win third place.
In a social media post, Obiena noted that a person’s character is not measured by a singular event like the Olympics, but “a cumulative or collective measure over time.”
“I finished 4th in Paris, close but not good enough. I am not measured by this. I am measured by my career,” Obiena said.
Nevertheless, Asia’s best pole vaulter is thankful for the love and support he received from Filipinos. Now, he’s back in training and will “attack the rest of the season.”
“I commit to everyone now, I am back in training, I am back in the game, and I am going to attack the rest of the season and make you proud. You are going to see more from me, and see the Philippine Flag raised and raised on a global stage,” Obiena said.
The 28-year-old Philippine ace earlier announced his plan to bring the world-class pole vaulting event to the Philippines this September. He hopes to invite his co-athletes including Karralis, China’s Huang Bokai, and Germany’s Oleg Zernikel.
Pagdanganan, likewise, thanked those who supported her second Olympics stint as it was a great honor for her to be part of the country’s centennial team on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
“The support I’ve received these past few days has been overwhelming, and I’m still struggling to find the words to say,” the 26-year-old Filipina golfer said in a social media post.
“To be able to represent the Philippines and be a member of the Olympic Centennial team on the biggest stage is a great honor; and something that I will carry with me forever,” she added.
Pagdanganan also admitted that falling short of winning a medal was heartbreaking, but said she proudly fought until the end.
“Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan! Hanggang sa muli,” she continued. – iro