Pole vault ace EJ Obiena to aspiring young athletes: 'Enjoy the ride'

Filipino pole vault EJ Obiena on Thursday reminisced about the past as he visited his alma mater, University of Santo Tomas, for a victory homecoming the school prepared for the Olympian.

While he stopped by different parts of the university, including the Arch of the Centuries, memories from his days at España came rushing back to Obiena.

"There's way too much memories. It did bring back the good and the bad and it's nice to reminisce from time to time," he told the press.

But while he remembers the past, Obiena also gifted the present and future with a piece of advice: "Really, right now, just enjoy. Enjoy the ride."

"To be honest, right now, just stick to what you’re doing. Do it the best that you can and opportunity is gonna come knocking at your door and think twice."

Obiena was once a student-athlete, representing UST in the UAAP starting in Season 77 (2014) in pole vaulting all while he was studying electronics engineering. But he had to take a leave of absence in 2018 to pursue a professional career.

Though it was a hard decision to make, the 27-year-old athletics ace said it was a leap of faith as he wanted to make it to the Olympics.

"Yeah, fortunately, God has other plans and I was able to do those. But having that thought that I never tried to be an Olympian, which is a childhood dream of mine, though, (I was) one-legged at the time," he shared.

"It was a leap of faith that I needed to take and I just needed to try and see if I can still make it."

And as he eyes another Olympic berth, this time in Paris 2024, Obiena vowed he will try to be available for help whenever some aspiring athlete like him needs it.

"Of course, if you need guidance I’m here, I would love to help out each and everyone if I can," he said.

"It’s not gonna be a forever thing that you’re a student-athlete and it's one of those good years that you’ll remember."

—JMB, GMA News