Spine injury cuts short Obiena's 2024 schedule

MANILA – Ernest John "EJ" Obiena announced Wednesday via social media that his 2024 season have come to a close following the diagnosis of a fractured L5 vertebra.

The world No. 3 pole vaulter would have seen action in three more competitions (ISTAF Berlin, Zurich Diamond League and Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium).

Even the Philippine Pole Vault competition slated Sept. 20 at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati may be scrapped, although Obiena said more information will be released soon.

"I am sorry to announce that I must call a premature close to my 2024 season," Obiena posted. "I intended to compete in three more competitions before flying back to Manila. However, during the Silesia Diamond League this past weekend, the same back pain that has bothered me all season flared up. Due to the continual spasms, I couldn't finish my last few attempts."

Obiena placed fifth in the Silesia event, ruled as expected by Sweden's Armand Duplantis in another record-breaking feat. He cleared 6.26 meters to break his 6.25m during the Paris Olympics.

Obiena said the magnetic resonance imaging revealed what appeared to be a stress fracture in his spine.

A later computerized axial tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis.

The L5 vertebra is the final section of the lumbar spine. Injury to the L5 spinal nerve bundle can cause numbness and weakness in the legs, but the extent of the symptoms vary from case to case, according to spinalcord.com.

"To avoid worsening the fracture, I shall prudently cancel my season. Hopefully, now that I've identified the source of my back problems this year, with the required four weeks off to heal, I'm hoping to return pain-free and ready for the 2025 indoor season," Obiena said.

Obiena competed with recurring pain in the Paris Olympics, where he placed fourth.

He tied for third in the Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland last week.

Obiena said he battled through pain as he wanted to accumulate points and qualify for the Diamond League final mid-September.

"I made it, but it's not meant to be. Competing in the Olympics with a spinal fracture was a risk I am willing to take but now I need to make decisions with my head, not my emotions," he said.

"The best thing to do right now, with ensuring my best future, is to rest and recuperate and come back even stronger."

Obiena, who turns 29 in November, promised he will be back next year.

"I am going to honor my promise: You'll see more of me, and the Philippine flag will be raised on a global scale. It will simply have to wait a bit longer!" he said.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said she is praying for the successful treatment of Obiena's back injury and for his full recovery.

"His public disclosure of his injury has a firm positive tone which we here in his hometown will match with prayers and well wishes," Lacuna said in a statement.

Obiena, who lives in Tondo and studied at the University of Santo Tomas, received P500,000 cash incentives from the Manila City government for his fourth place finish in the Paris Olympics. (PNA)