FILE–Philippines’ EJ Obiena prepares to compete in the men’s pole vault qualification of the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines —Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena is still hoping to finish his college degree at University of Santo Tomas.
During his visit to UST last week, the two-time Olympian told the Varsitarian — the school’s news organ — that he is still interested in earning his Electronic Engineering degree.
“I still want to get my diploma, and I still am interested in that field. So, who knows? Hopefully, we’ll figure something out,” Obiena bared to the Varsitarian.
READ: EJ Obiena apologizes for missing out on Paris Olympics medal
Obiena, who took a leave of absence on his studies to focus on pole vault, crossed the Arch of the Centuries in his UST homecoming after the Paris Olympics.
Though there’s an urban legend that a student should not cross the arch until the Baccalaureate Mass, the UST standout hopes it’s not real.
“Hopefully, that curse is not applied because I still do want to graduate,” he said.
Obiena missed the podium in the Paris Olympics and currently recovering from a spine injury, which ended the remainder of his 2024 season.
READ: EJ Obiena dealing with back issues heading into Paris Olympics
It won’t be easy to juggle his studies with pole vaulting again but Obiena is eager to earn his diploma.
“It’s not that simple to balance it at this time. So if there’s online classes or anything that we could do, of course, I’d love to do it,” he said. “I’m not getting any younger, and I want to see what I could do.”