EJ Obiena, of Philippines, reacts during the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
MANILA, Philippines—Tokyo Olympian Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo continued her support for Team Philippines on Tuesday after EJ Obiena’s heartbreaking finish in the Paris Olympics’ 2024 men’s pole vault final.
Obiena gave it his all but ended up just one spot away from a podium finish, which would’ve ended close to nine decades of drought in athletics for Team Philippines.
While all those were happening, though, Diaz-Naranjo sent her support all the way from the Philippines.
“Thank you, @ernstobienapv for giving your best for the Philippines,” wrote Diaz-Naranjo on an Instagram story.
Obiena failed to breach the 5.95m bar which ultimately sent him crashing to a fourth place finish.
Emmanouil Karalis of Greece took home the bronze on the countback, Sam Kendricks of the USA secured silver while Mondo Duplantis, expectedly took home the gold medal while breaking Olympics and world records at 6.25m.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING YOUR BEST, EJ 💪
LOOK: Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz shows her support for Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena after he missed out on a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. | 📷: Diaz/Instagram Story via Arabela Cisneros, https://t.co/92tzXJz7A2 trainee pic.twitter.com/fUMbmFVwdb
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 6, 2024
Diaz-Naranjo has been quite vocal with supporting Team Philippines.
The weightlifting gold medalist was one of the first to express her congratulatory message to Carlos Yulo after he won the gold medal in the floor exercises of the men’s artistic gymnastics.
Diaz-Naranjo also posted a message of support for Team Philippines a few days ago when the Filipino ensemble was still looking for its first medal of the summer games.
‘I HAVE BEEN KNOCKED DOWN BUT I WILL GET BACK UP’
LOOK: World’s No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena expresses gratitude to those who believed in him after he ended his #Paris2024 stint in fourth place. | 📷: Gagastrophe via Obiena/Instagram pic.twitter.com/WkJKLoQEsv
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 6, 2024
Obiena, on the other hand, also took to Instagram to express his dismay over missing out on a medal finish in France.
“4th place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium,” wrote the world No. 2 pole vaulter.
“I apologize for this outcome; such is life as the world of competitive sports can be exhilarating at times, and painful at others. I have experienced both and unfortunately today I am on the other side of it!” he added.
Obiena, the two-time Olympian, assured the Filipino faithful that he would be back after a tough outing in Paris.
“I have been knocked down. But I will get back up.”