Thomasian alumnus Ernest John Obiena jumped closer to the Olympic gold after securing a spot in the finals of the pole vault event by clearing 5.75 meters and placing 7th at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug. 3.

This will be the second straight Olympic finals appearance for Asia’s best pole vaulter and World’s No. 2 after achieving the same feat in the last iteration of the Olympiad in Tokyo, 2020.

Fielded in Group A alongside World’s No. 3 Sam Kendricks and World’s No. 1 Mondo Duplantis, the three of the world’s best duked it out for a chance to bring home Olympic glory.

Athletes must clear the qualification standard of 5.80 meters and place in the top 12 to advance to the finals of the event.

Obiena started the event by skipping 5.40 meters joining Duplantis as one of the only two vaulters skipping the height.

The 5.60 meter vault gave a problematic start for Obiena, failing to make the first two attempts ultimately skipping the height, betting it all on a single 5.70 jump.

The three attempts given to athletes will not reset even if they skip a height unless they clear their next attempt.

At the brink of elimination, Obiena clutched the 5.70 meter jump finally adding a recorded height to his Olympic run.

Riding off the momentum, Obiena swiftly pounced his way through and made quick work of the 5.75 meter jump in his first attempt which was also the last height before declaring the final 12 who got through for the finals.

Struggles before Paris

Obiena cited physical struggles in an Instagram post leading to the Olympics feeling less confident in his preparation for the games.

“Am I feeling confident with my preparation? Well, definitely not as much as I would like!!” he said.

But the 28-year-old assured his fans and the nation that he can perform at the highest level.

“I know these things happen. All athletes at an Olympic level deal with such adversities. I know not everything is in my control. I am an optimist by-nature. Can I perform at the highest level? YES, I BELIEVE I CAN!” the pole vaulter added.

Chance of redemption

Obiena aims to bounce back after an 11th place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where the world saw the Asian bet participate in his first Olympics.

After performing a dream run to climb his way through the world rankings, he aims to highlight his 2024 career with an improved finish in-front of the French spectators.

Obiena will get the chance to bring home the an Olympic medal for the country on Aug. 6, 1 a.m. PHST.