EJ Obiena's coach says he could have done better even after gold medal win

EJ Obiena made history for the Philippines after winning the gold medal at the Golden Spike Meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic last week.

His coach Vitaly Petrov, however, thinks the Olympic-bound vaulter actually could have done better than his 5.74 meter jump.

In Chino Trinidad's report for "24 Oras," Obiena said his mentor is not easy to please.

"After Ostrava, he wasn't happy. The first thing he said to me was like, 'You should've jumped 84 at least,'" he said. "As an athlete that keeps the fire going. It's a good thing."

Obiena, 24, admitted that he could still go on a higher gear.

"I'm happy where I am now, I'm not complaining," he said. "But I know that I could have been a lot faster. I could be a lot stronger, I could be more consistent. There's something more, I know it."

Last month, Obiena bagged the silver at the 13th International Triveneto Meeting in Trieste, Italy; the bronze at the Diamond League in Monaco; and the silver in the FINEst Pole Vaulter in the World virtual competition.

He said that winning the gold this time is a boost to his confidence, especially with Olympic champions Renaud Lavillenie and Thiago Braz among the competitors.

"Just having them recognize you or congratulate you, that's something," he said. —MGP, GMA News