NOT done yet.

That was more than a hashtag for EJ Obiena, who revealed Tuesday that he’s back in training camp on the heels of a heartbreaking finish in the Paris Olympics.

Winding up at fourth-place for a near-podium placing, it’s never too early to prepare for the Filipino pole vault pride in his next battles with his eyes locked on seeking redemption in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

“I am back in training, I am back in the game, and I am going to attack the rest of the season and make you proud. You are going to see more from me, and see the Philippine Flag raised and raised on a global stage,” declared Mr. Obiena, with a hashtag “Not Done Yet.”

“Let’s get on with it.”

Mr. Obiena, the world No. 2 pole vaulter, was on the verge of a breakthrough in Paris only to fall short after failing to clear 5.95 meters en route to finish just outside the podium.

The 28-year-old ace was actually tied with Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis at 5.90 meters but lost the bronze via countback as the latter cleared all of his previous hurdles with single attempts.

As expected, world No. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden breezed through to the gold medal and even set a new world record at 6.25 meters as USA’s Sam Kendricks took the silver at 5.95 meters.

But albeit it’s a massive improvement for Mr. Obiena, who admitted braving a back injury amidst his Paris campaign, after a dismal 11^th place finish in Tokyo, he’s out for the ultimate prize next time.

“The measure of a man or woman is not a singular event — like the Olympics — but a cumulative or collective measure over time. I finished 4^th in Paris, close but not good enough,” he vowed, thanking the Filipinos for an unwavering support.

“I am not measured by this. I am measured by my career. I commit to everyone now.”

That, however, can wait as Mr. Obiena and the rest of the 22-strong Filipino Olympians led by twin-gold medalist Carlos Yulo come home for now for a grand hero’s welcome parade in Manila Wednesday in recognition of their valiant stand in Paris. — John Bryan Ulanday

THE NEXT Carlos Yulo could be in the making — and not just here in the Philippines.

Mr. Yulo’s stellar two-gold feat in the Paris Olympics is set to transcend to the entire Southeast Asian region following Thailand’s hiring of his Japanese mentor Munehiro Kugimiya.

Mr. Kugimiya has been in Thailand since Monday and will stay there until Aug. 21 for guidance and consultation of his expertise as announced by the Gymnastics Association of Thailand.

“The Gymnastics Association of Thailand has invited Mr. Munehiro Kugimiya, Japanese coach of Carlos Edriel Yulo, a 2-gold medalist from the Paris Olympic Games, to teach and introduce techniques to the Thai national men’s gymnastics team,” said the Thai federation.

Mr. Kugimiya served as the long-time mentor of Mr. Yulo since 2013, molding the then Filipino prodigy to a world-class bet that resulted in his unparalleled success in Paris with golds in floor exercise and vault of the men’s artistic gymnastics.

Under his watch, the Palarong Pambansa legend Mr. Yulo would win multiple medals abroad none bigger than the gold in the 2019 World Championships that became his stepping stone later on in the Olympics.

Mr. Yulo, who time and again preached his gratitude to Mr. Kugimiya for his incomparable influence to his career, was the first and the only male Olympic gold medalist gymnast from Southeast Asia.

And as it stands, he may be up against his former mentor’s prodigies in Thailand, which will host the next Southeast Asian Games next year.

Mr. Yulo, only 24 years old, has been the barometer in the SEA Games gymnastics over the years with nine gold and nine silver medals. — John Bryan Ulanday