MANILA – Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, the world No. 3 pole vaulter, has announced on social media that he will end his 2024 season early due to a fractured L5 vertebra.
Obiena had planned to compete in three more events: ISTAF Berlin, the Zurich Diamond League, and the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium. The Philippine Pole Vault competition, set for September 20 at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati, may also be affected, with Obiena stating that further updates will follow soon.
“I am sorry to announce that I must call a premature close to my 2024 season,” Obiena wrote. “I intended to compete in three more competitions before flying back to Manila. However, 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 finished fifth at the Silesia Diamond League, which was won by Sweden’s Armand Duplantis with another record-breaking performance, clearing 6.26 meters to surpass his own 6.25-meter jump during the Paris Olympics.
Medical tests revealed that Obiena had a stress fracture in his spine, confirmed by both a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
The L5 vertebra, located at the base of the lumbar spine, is critical to lower back function. An injury here can lead to numbness and weakness in the legs, though the severity of symptoms can vary, according to spinalcord.com.
“To avoid worsening the fracture, I shall prudently cancel my season. Hopefully, now that I’ve identified the source of my back problems this year, with the required four weeks off to heal, I’m hoping to return pain-free and ready for the 2025 indoor season,” Obiena stated.
Despite recurring back pain, Obiena placed fourth in the Paris Olympics and tied for third in the Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week. He fought through the pain to earn enough points to qualify for the Diamond League final in mid-September.
“I made it, but it’s not meant to be. Competing in the Olympics with a spinal fracture was a risk I am willing to take, but now I need to make decisions with my head, not my emotions,” he shared. “The best thing to do right now, ensuring my best future, is to rest and recuperate and come back even stronger.”
Turning 29 in November, Obiena remains determined to return next year. “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!” he concluded.