MANILA — Renowned pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, ranked as the world’s No. 2, stands among the 10 candidates participating in the upcoming Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Athletes Commission elections set to take place on January 27 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.

Obiena, who clinched the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, currently trains under the guidance of the esteemed Ukrainian coach, Vitaly Petrov, in Formia, Italy.

The roster of candidates includes Jessie Khing Lacuna (swimming), Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Jayson Valdez and Amparo Teresa Acuña (shooting), Jack Danielle Animam (basketball), Inna Kristianne Palacios (football), Kai Stroem (rugby), Juan Miguel Bautista (fencing), and John Leerams Chicano (triathlon).

Out of these candidates, only five will secure a position on the Commission.

Lacuna, a two-time Olympian (2012 and 2016), and Petecio, a silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and a gold medal winner at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, bring a wealth of experience to the competition.

Valdez, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics, and Acuña, jointly securing the bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships, add further diversity to the field.

Animam, a five-time UAAP champion, holds the distinction of being the first Filipina to compete in both European and Chinese leagues.

Palacios, the team captain of the first national team in the FIFA World Cup, and Stroem, co-captain of the Rugby 7s team, bring their leadership skills to the fore.

Bautista, a bronze medalist in the Cambodia SEAG and a gold medal winner in the 2022 Thailand and Indonesia Fencing Championship adds fencing prowess to the mix.

Chicano, a three-time national champion and a double-gold medalist in the SEAG, rounds out the impressive list of candidates.

The Athletes’ Commission serves as a consultative and advisory body, facilitating a vital link between POC leaders and athletes to help achieve the organization’s mission.

The current members of the POC Athletes Commission include Nikko Huelgas (triathlon), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Jake Letts (rugby), Francesca Altamonte (softball), Samuel Morrion (taekwondo), Petecio, and Lacuna.

(By el Amigo/MNM)