EJ Obiena officially ends 2024 playing calendar after suffering spine injury

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino pole vaulting star EJ Obiena announced that he is ending his full competing schedule of the year after acquiring an injury in his spinal column confirmed on August 28, 2024.

In a lengthy social media post updated by Obiena on his official Facebook account, the two-time Olympian revealed that a stress fracture in his spine was found through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Unfortunately, after further results in his CAT scan, the final diagnosis was confirmed to be a fracture in his L5 vertebra.

Multiple orthopedic report state that a fracture in the L5 vertebra would take six to 12 weeks to heal, and this time varies for every type of back injury.

The L5 vertebra is located in the spinal column of the lower back (lumbar) region. It consists of a vertebral body in front and an arch in the back containing bony protrusions.

For Obiena, finally receiving the proper diagnosis of what is causing his frequent back pains during the past months was a sigh of relief.

During his past international stint at the Silesia Diamond League, Obiena shared that he failed to finish his last attempts due to severe back spasms.

As a result of the failed podium finish, Obiena went to see his doctor in Italy, where he underwent his MRI and CAT scan procedures.

Obiena was supposed to cap off his 2024 playing season with three more international competitions, the ISTAF Berlin, Zurich Diamond League, and the Diamond League Final.

“But now I need to make decisions with my head, not my emotions. The best thing to do right now, with ensuring my best future, is to rest and recuperate and come back even stronger. Thank you for your support. I love you all and promise, I’ll be back!” posted Obiena.