Choice

EJ Obiena forgoes the world indoor championships this year. Although there is still time to qualify, there is no more competition to jump in. Time is one thing, opportunity is another. Just as the poor have all the time in the world to improve their lot, but they cannot, without a suitable opportunity.

Greed denied them both the door and window to better their life. They could not destroy the house either, otherwise they revolutionize. Standing alone, hard work does not work. Just look at the farmers who toil under the heat of the sun just to bring food to the insatiable rich while they remain bone tired and gut hungry. The fishers too, who sometimes brave the stormy seas to kill marine life so that humans may live.

The world number four vaulter fully healed from injury that forced him out of the latter part of the season last year. He came back in better shape early this year, jumped to gold in Poland with a respectable height of 5.80m, right on track to the 5.85m qualifying mark. But it’s not meant to be. Not much of a loss actually. No one remembers indoor championships or who won in it, just as no one remembers doubles champions, not even in grand slam tennis.

There are lesser known tournaments, and there are tournaments that matter. There are even games that no one must play, like fire. But the fired up Filipino jumper guns for the big one, the Tokyo world championships this year in September where he previously medaled twice, a bronze and a silver. The first, the only and the best by any Filipino, man or woman.

Before the year ends, there is the Thailand Southeast Asian Games where the country competes against its neighbors. The regional games may be the lowest level of amateur international competition, but it is special. Filipinos compete against other athletes their size and height. Equal opportunity, until some countries played the naturalization card, especially in basketball, the Philippines included.

Early next year, the continental equivalent of the Olympics takes place where EJ is defending Asiad champion. The phenom from Tondo has chosen his battles well. These three majors are worth more than the indoors. Rightfully so, win the big ones, practice with the smaller ones. There are battles not worth fighting for. It’s the war that matters. Like Russian invasion of Ukraine where world leaders took the side of the wrongfully invaded, except that one man who happens to represent the land of the free. Or so they say. Not really. No need to explain. Never argue with a donkey.