EJ Obiena ends his 2024 season due to persistent back injury

FILE–Philippines’ EJ Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault city event part of the “Athletissima” Diamond League athletics meeting in Lausanne on August 21, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—EJ Obiena announced on Wednesday that his 2024 season is over due to a back injury.

In an Instagram post, Obiena said that he’s officially calling it quits on his 2024 run following a diagnosis of a fractured L5 vertebra.

“I am sorry to announce that I must call a premature close to my 2024 season,” said the Filipino pole vault sensation.

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“During the Silesia Diamond League this past weekend, the same back pain that has bothered me all season flared up. Due to the continual spasms, I couldn’t finish my last few attempts.”

Obiena narrated that he went to his usual doctor in Italy for a diagnosis only to find out that he has a stress fracture in his spine, urging him to call the season early with three more competitions left for the year.

The Paris Olympic 2024’s pole vault competition’s fourth placer said that he originally intended to compete in the ISTAF Berlin, Zurich Diamond League and Diamond League Final.

READ: EJ Obiena dealing with back issues heading into Paris Olympics

Effectively, his plans to compete in the “world class” pole vault event that he is planning in Manila for September have also been dashed.

Obiena said he will be taking some time off but vowed to come back stronger next year for the indoor season.

“To avoid worsening the fracture, I shall prudently cancel my season, including the Philippines Pole Vault competition scheduled for September 20… I’m hoping to return pain-free and ready for the 2025 indoor season!”

“The best thing to do right now, with ensuring my best future, is to rest and recuperate and come back even stronger. I am going to honor my promise: ‘You’ll see more of me, and the Philippine flag will be raised on a global scale.’ It will simply have to wait a bit longer!”

Obiena recently placed fifth in the Silesia Diamond League. Before that, however, the Olympian notched bronze in the Diamond League’s Lausanne leg.