MANILA, Philippines — The country’s top pole vaulter EJ Obiena won’t rush things and jump right back into action as he recovers from a major knee injury that has sidelined him since the Southeast Asian Games last year.
Obiena, the national record holder who tore his ACL while training for the SEA Games last August, reported that he has picked up the pole again and even made 4.70 meters twice. It’s a far cry from his personal best of 5.61 meters but a good baby step towards recovery.
But he announced he wasn’t ready to see action in next month’s UAAP just yet.
“I am starting to jump and starting to feel like myself again,” shared on his Facebook page, posting a video one of his jumps. “I made 4.70 out of 8 steps a couple of times today.”
The 22-year-old Obiena originally intended to gauge his current condition by taking part in the UAAP Season 80 slated Feb. 7 but was advised against competing this soon and reconsidered.
“I want to try and see what I can do but UAAP is not the meet to do it,” he said. “I wasn’t given medical clearance to compete considering the period of recovery. Four and a half months post-operation, competing might be the worst thing to do while I am undergoing rehab.”
