It’s gold or bust for EJ Obiena when he competes in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from 30 November to 11 December.

After securing his slot in next year’s Tokyo Olympics, the 23-year old pole vault specialist now shifts his focus on the coming biennial meet where he is part of the Philippine athletics team that aims to bring back the glory days of the sport in the 11-nation conclave.

“Every time I go into a competition I always want to win,” said Obiena yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila.

“What I can guarantee is I’ll do my best to prepare for the SEA Games and bring the gold. It’s our home country. Its going to be a shame to lose. And I know that.”

Obiena’s return to the limelight was not a walk in the park as he had to endure the recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him in the 2017 edition of SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Now, the former University of Santo Tomas standout gets a crack to win his first SEA Games gold in front of his countrymen and jumpstart his Olympic drive.

Obiena was the first Filipino athlete to qualify in the Tokyo Games with 5.81 meters leap in a tournament in Chiari in Italy, surpassing the qualifying standard of 5.80 meters.

“I’m really happy. I’m really thankful for qualifying in Tokyo. Its a big thing, its more of a childhood dream coming true.” Obiena said.

“I’m basically now just waiting for Tokyo to arrive and at the same time preparing for it. My objective will be big. So, for sure to finish and get a medal there that means a podium finish. Its still far, a lot of work to do but it’s not impossible.”