Tales of triumph and loss in and out of India

Triple jumper Mark Harry Diones gave the country a reason to be proud anew in the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.

The 24-year-old Diones jumped 16.45 meters to win the silver medal behind China’s Zhu Yaming (16.82m).

But it was a tale of woe for Ernest John Obiena, who was distraught after arriving in Italy to find his poles destroyed.

“This is a cry for help, because I felt helpless,” Obiena posted in his Facebook account. “I was walking to pick up the pole from the airport when I saw it [lying] down on the floor with its lock missing with a big cut in the middle of the case. I immediately opened the bag and saw all my poles were damaged beyond usable.”

Obiena, the 21-year-old pole vaulter who had just won a bronze in the India tournament, said that all his eight poles, worth $850 each, and his bag worth $220, were “damaged beyond [use].”

Obiena said he has filed a complaint already but he refused to reveal his airline “because it might not process the damaged bag complaint.”

“I’m forced to buy new poles one way or another if I want to compete and represent my country,” said Obiena in his post. “I’m humbly asking for your kind help. Any amount is appreciated and cherished.”

Obiena said the total cost of the equipment was $7,020.

Diones, meanwhile, bagged his third medal in an international meet in the last three months. He was tied with Xu Xiao of China at 16.45m but had a better second best jump of 16.43 compared to Xu’s 16.41.