MANILA — Filipino pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena announced on Wednesday, August 28 via Instagram that he is ending his 2024 outdoor season early due to a fractured L5 vertebra, a condition affecting the lower spine.
Obiena was set to compete in several high-profile events, including ISTAF Berlin, the Zurich Diamond League, and the Diamond League final. He also planned to participate in an international pole vault competition in Manila on September 20. However, persistent back pain has worsened, forcing him to withdraw.
The 28-year-old athlete shared that his back injury flared up during the Silesia Diamond League, where he finished fifth with a 5.82m clearance on August 26. This flare-up prevented him from completing his final attempts at the event.
After consulting with his doctor in Italy, Obiena underwent an MRI and CAT scan, which revealed a stress fracture in his spine. He has been advised to take at least four weeks off to recover.
Obiena, currently ranked third in the world, expressed hope to return for the 2025 indoor season, aiming to compete without pain.
ia/mnm
MANILA — Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena is taking “one day at a time” in deciding whether to pursue another Olympic bid in 2028, following his fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics despite battling a recurring back injury.
Obiena, 28, reflected on his performance in a virtual press conference in Italy. “I am taking it one day at a time, seeing what exactly fuels my fire. The reason why I can’t give you guys the answer that you guys I think want to have is just that I don’t want to lie. I don’t want to go and say, yeah, we’re gunning right away, this and that,” he said.
Although his injury hampered his preparation, Obiena improved from his 11th-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Games. “We’ll see what’s next for me. For now, try to get healthy. We’ll see how this season goes,” he added.
Obiena’s manager, James Lafferty, is optimistic about his athlete’s future, noting that age will not be a significant barrier. “For pole vault, 32 [years old] is still pretty young. Tim Mack won his first Olympic gold in Athens when he was already 33. Sam [Kendricks] is already 32, and he had his best finish just yet,” Lafferty explained.
Lafferty emphasized the complexity of pole vaulting, requiring years to perfect the technique and build consistency. “Obiena is prioritizing his recovery from a back injury before mapping out his career plans in the coming years, which includes possibly competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he said.
Despite his injury, Lafferty commended Obiena for his resilience. “The fact that he competed, in my opinion, is amazing. The fact that he came in fourth is beyond amazing,” he stated.
Obiena faced challenges from the start, faulting twice at 5.60 meters during qualifications. He reached the finals and cleared 5.80 meters but couldn’t surpass 5.95 meters, resulting in a fourth-place finish.
World No. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden defended his gold medal, setting new world and Olympic records by clearing 6.25 meters. The United States’ Sam Kendricks took the silver, and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis secured the bronze.
(ia/mnm)
MANILA – Pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena came tantalizingly close to an Olympic medal early Tuesday (06 Aug 2024), finishing fourth after losing a countback for the bronze due to three failed attempts to clear 5.95 meters at Stade de France.
Eight hours later, Obiena took to Facebook, expressing his determination to bounce back despite the heartbreak. “The good get up, as they say. I have been knocked down. But I will get back up,” he wrote, acknowledging the pain of narrowly missing the podium. “Fourth place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium.”
Despite his marked improvement from 11th place in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the world No. 2 apologized for the outcome. “Such is life as the world of competitive sports can be exhilarating at times, and painful at others. I have experienced both and unfortunately today I am on the other side of it!”
Obiena highlighted his pride in his achievements after overcoming numerous struggles, including battling physical problems since April. He thanked his supporters and promised to take things “one day at a time” as he plans his next steps. “Thank you again for your support and standing by me. I love you all, and we all share a common love and pride for the Philippines.”
He also congratulated double gold medalist Carlos Yulo for his remarkable performance at the Paris Games. “I salute him. I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium,” Obiena said.
World No. 1 Mondo Duplantis of Sweden took the gold with a new world record of 6.25 meters, followed by Sam Kendricks of the United States with the silver, and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis with the bronze. The 24-year-old Duplantis broke his world record of 6.24 meters set in April, marking the ninth time the two-time world champion has reset the mark.
Upcoming events
John Cabang Tolentino will compete in the repechage of the 110-meter hurdles later Tuesday, while female boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio have secured at least a bronze each.
Upcoming events include weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando, and golfers Dottie Ardina and Bianca Pagdanganan.
(ia/mnm)
PARIS – EJ Obiena narrowly missed a medal finish in the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics, settling for fourth place after clearing 5.80 meters but failing to clear 5.95 meters at the Stade De France early Tuesday (Manila time).
Despite a strong performance, Obiena could not surpass Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, the United States’ Sam Kendricks, and Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis. Karalis secured the bronze with a countback tiebreaker after skipping 5.95 meters and fouling at six meters.
Kendricks earned the silver by clearing 5.95 meters on his first attempt. Duplantis claimed gold by clearing six meters and breaking the Olympic record with a 6.10-meter jump. He further set a new world record at 6.25 meters on his final attempt, thrilling the crowd.
Obiena’s fourth-place finish significantly improved from his 11th-place result in 2021, especially considering a back injury during his preparation.
In other events, Lauren Hoffman did not advance in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 58.28 seconds. Shana Grebo of France and Anna Ryzhykova secured the last two semifinal spots in Heat 3 of the repechage.
Philippine athletics now looks to John Tolentino in the 110-meter hurdles repechage later Tuesday for a potential medal.
ia/mnm
ERNEST John “EJ” Obiena — one of the country’s strongest medal potentials in the Paris—has his mind and body focused on the Olympics, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino who had a brief internet call with the world No. 2 men’s pole vaulter late Tuesday.
“EJ is doing well and is very focused, him despite missing on a medal in the Diamond League in Paris,” said Tolentino, who assured Obiena that his parents —Emerson, himself a former national pole vaulter, and Jeanette — will be in Paris to cheer and support their son.
The elder Obienas, Tolentino said, are managing their son’s logistical needs for the Olympics to keep him focused on the games.
“After the Diamond League, EJ and his team will remain in France and no longer return to their base in Formia [Italy],” said Tolentino, adding it won’t be practical for Team Obiena to travel anymore because the men’s pole vault competitions in Paris are set August 3 for the qualification and August 5 for the final both at the 81,000-seat Stade de France.
Obiena and his team — led by renowned Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov— will do their preps and fine-tuning at the Normandy Sports Centre, which is a mere two-hour drive from Paris.
Tolentino assured Obiena that he will send a team from the POC secretariat to Normandy to make sure the Asian champion gets the needed support for his pre-Olympics training.
Joining Obiena on Team Philippines in Paris are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando; boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan and Levi Ruivivar; swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Harold Hatch; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina; and hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino.
MANILA – Filipino Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena secured a silver medal at the 2024 Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.
KC Lightfoot of the United States won the gold by clearing 5.82 meters, while Obiena matched Emmanouil Karalis of Greece with a height of 5.72 meters, resulting in a tie for the silver.
During the competition, Obiena experienced a pole break, which he later discussed on social media. “Very thankful that I am not hurt and I live to fight another day,” he wrote. “I’m taking this with a bit of humor but in all honesty, this is not funny at all.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA — Filipino pole vault sensation Ernest John Obiena clinched the prestigious men’s elite gold medal at the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Osijek, Croatia, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze category event held on Tuesday (20 Feb 2024).
Ranking as the world’s No. 2, Obiena soared to a height of 5.83 meters on his initial attempt, outperforming Pedro Buarto of Portugal (5.73m) and Olen Tray Oates of the United States (5.61m).
Although Obiena ambitiously raised the bar to 5.93m, he encountered difficulty in his three successive attempts.
Nonetheless, he demonstrated his prowess by effortlessly clearing the bar at 5.51m and making two valiant efforts at 5.73m.
Buarto, after two attempts at his peak performance, made unsuccessful endeavors to surpass the 5.83m mark.
On the other hand, Oates, following a successful clearance at 5.41m on his second try, elevated the bar to 5.61m, which he effortlessly surpassed in a single attempt. However, despite his endeavors, he couldn’t conquer the 5.73m challenge in three attempts.
Obiena’s triumph in Croatia marks a significant milestone as he secures his berth for Paris, marking his second Olympic appearance following his participation in the 2020 Tokyo Games, where he reached the finals but narrowly missed the podium.
His ascent to the exclusive six-meter club during the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway last year remains a highlight, as he set new Asian and national records, surpassing his previous mark of 5.94m established during the World Athletics Championship in 2022.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — In a celebration of exceptional achievements in sports, Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is poised to be crowned the 2023 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year at the Diamond Hotel grand ballroom on Monday (January 29, 2024).
This accolade marks a fitting tribute to Obiena’s stellar performance during the past year, solidifying his position as the world’s No. 2 pole vaulter.
Obiena, who secured a podium finish in 15 out of 16 tournaments during the outdoor season, achieved record-breaking feats at the Phnom Penh Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games. Notably, he set a new standard with a clearance of 5.65 meters at the SEA Games and clinched his first Asian Games gold with a record-breaking jump of 5.90 meters.
The 28-year-old athlete also etched his name in history by becoming the first Filipino to qualify for the Paris Olympics, surpassing the Olympic standard entry height of 5.82 meters in Bauhaus-Galan, Sweden, in July.
The PSA Awards Night, recognized as the biggest in the association’s 75-year history, will see the participation of top sports officials, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino. The event will honor 140 awardees, spanning various sports and achievements.
Aside from Obiena, other notable recognitions include the President’s Award for Gilas Pilipinas, ending a 61-year title drought in the Asian Games, and a “Golden Lady Booters” Special Award for the Philippine women’s national football team, which made a historic debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The PSA Major Awards will be presented to Asiad gold medalists Margarita “Meggie” Ochoa and Annie Ramirez, while the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines (JJFP) share the National Sports Associations (NSAs) of the Year honors.
Special Awards will be given to outstanding athletes, including PBA seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, known as “Mr. Basketball,” Creamline stalwart Diana Mae “Tots” Carlos, recognized as “Ms. Volleyball,” and Filipinas star forward Sarina Bolden, acknowledged as “Ms. Football.” Additionally, net sensation Alex Eala will be honored as “Ms. Tennis.”
The evening’s festivities will also celebrate gold medalists from the Hangzhou Asiad and Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, along with their counterparts in the Asiad and Asean Para Games. The event will feature the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to basketball legends Allan Caidic and the late Avelino ‘Samboy’ Lim, as well as champion coaches Dante Silverio, Joe Lipa, and Arturo Valenzona, adding a touch of nostalgia to the celebration.
Prominent figures such as SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang and First Pacific Company Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan will be honored as Executives of the Year for their significant contributions, including the successful hosting of the FIBA World Cup and regaining the valuable basketball gold during the 19th Asiad in Hangzhou, China.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
EJ Obiena celebrates after winning the gold in the Asian Games.
EJ Obiena soars to greater heights in 2023.
The credentials of the 28-year-old Tondo-born pole vaulter in a 12-month span was indeed impressive, highlighting it by winning golds in three major international tournaments in record-breaking fashion.
He made history anew in the World Athletics Championships, became the first Filipino to join pole vault’s ultra-elite 6.00-meter club, and then capped off the year by finishing as the no. 2 ranked athlete in his field.
Obiena was also the first to book a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics – the first Filipino bet to do so – with a silver-medal effort in a tournament in Sweden, just a day after the qualifiers for next year’s Olympiad began.
Those glowing achievements truly, are hard to ignore especially in a year when many firsts were recorded in Philippine sports history.
On account of it, Obiena has been chosen as the sole recipient of the Athlete of the Year honor in the coming San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-PSA Awards Night.
Gilas Pilipinas ending 61-year of frustration by bagging the basketball gold in the Asian Games, the Filipinas national team scoring a historic win in its FIFA Women’s World Cup debut, and the pair of Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa and Annie Ramirez achieving a double gold for jiu-jitsu in the Hangzhou Asiad, were all considered for the prestigious award.
But Obiena got the nod of the majority from the country’s oldest media organization composed of print and online sportswriters headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine STAR.
ArenaPlus will be presenting the blue-ribbon event with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/Smart and MILO as major sponsors. Also backing the event are the Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, Rain or Shine and 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero.
Obiena, son of track and field athletes Emerson and Jeanette Uy, is the first track athlete to be honored with the prestigious award since long jumper Marestella Torres in 2009.
He emerged the undisputed pole vault king in Asia in the year just passed. Obiena set new records in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games (5.65 meters), the Asian Athletics Championships (5.91 meters) in Thailand, and later, the Hangzhou Asian Games (5.90 meters) on the way to completing a sweep of all three gold medals.
Obiena then raised the ante by becoming the first Filipino pole vaulter to win a silver medal in the World Athletics Championship in Budapest. He did 6.0 meters in another podium finish following his breakthrough bronze medal in the 2022 edition in Oregon.
Earlier, he finally joined pole vault’s ultra-elite 6.00-meter club and won the gold in the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway, becoming the first and only Asian athlete to achieve the feat.
In between, he also qualified to the 2024 Paris Olympics by clearing the bar at 5.82 meters in the Diamond League-Bauhaus Galan in Sweden and won numerous other tournaments during the season.
By the end of 2023, Obiena shot from no. 6 previously to the world’s second best pole vaulter behind Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis.
(IAmigo/MNM)
MANILA — The top performers in Philippine sports in the year about to end will be honored by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) as it holds its traditional Awards Night on Jan. 29 at the Diamond Hotel.
Asian Games gold medal winners EJ Obiena, Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez, and Gilas Pilipinas lead the long list of achievers to be recognized by the country’s oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of the Philippine Star.
All four and the Filipinas football team are vying for the prestigious Athlete of the Year award.
Obiena’s golden record in pole vault, the two-pronged triumph of Ochoa and Ramirez in jiu-jitsu, and Gilas’ epic march to reclaim basketball supremacy in Asia spearheaded the country’s four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes finish (17th overall) in the 19th edition of the Asiad in Hangzhou, China, in the Philippines’ highest placing yet in the quadrennial showcase since finishing 14th in Hiroshima, Japan 29 years ago.
The Filipinas on the other hand, made history following their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, in a campaign that became even more memorable following the team’s stunning 1-0 victory over the host country through the breakthrough goal of Sarina Bolden.
In a year like no other in Philippine sports history, the Asiad and Southeast Asian Games – along with their Para Games counterparts – were both held in a single calendar year following the adjustments in the hosting of the four major meets owing to the pandemic, guaranteeing a star-studded Awards Night two months from now.
The country’s top two sports officials in Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino are expected to grace the formal affair and lead the local sports community in honoring the best and brightest of the year 2023.
Aside from the Athlete of the Year, other awards will also be handed out by sports editors and writers from different broadsheets, tabloids, and online sites that comprised the PSA membership.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, President’s Award, National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, Mr. Basketball, Ms. Volleyball, Ms. Football, and the Tony Siddayao Awards are among the yearly honors.
Major Awards and citations to athletes, officials, and entities who excelled in their respective sports are likewise going to be recognized.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — No further legal action will be pursued by Filipino pole vault star and world No. 2, EJ Obiena, as he has graciously accepted the sincere apology from his accuser in the doping scandal.
Last week, Anais Lavillenie, the wife of former Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie, accused EJ Obiena of using performance-enhancing drugs in a Facebook post. However, on Tuesday, October 24, Anais issued a public apology, retracting her previous false allegations.
In a letter dated October 24, Anais Lavillenie publicly acknowledged the harm caused by her inaccurate statements and described her accusations as “stupid amalgams” that should have never been written.
She expressed genuine remorse for her actions and stated, “I would like to publicly offer my sincere apologies for writing untruthful words. I made a stupid amalgam that I should never have done and written. I admit, and that’s why I deleted the comment after the fact, but the damage was done. I am sincerely sorry.”
EJ Obiena responded positively to Anais’s apology, declaring that it brings closure to the matter for him and that he is prepared to move forward. He shared this sentiment in a social media post on Thursday, October 26, which included a signed letter from Anais.
As a former pole vaulter herself, Anais expressed deep regret for her unwarranted accusation posted on the Facebook page of Vaulter Magazine two weeks ago.
(Amigo Ismael/mnm)
FILIPINO netizens swiftly took to French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie’s social media accounts following controversial remarks made by his wife regarding the world’s number 2 pole vaulter, Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.
Lavillenie recently shared a picture of himself recuperating from a leg injury on Facebook and Instagram. On these platforms, outraged netizens expressed their disdain for Anais, the wife of the 2012 Olympic champion, who made incendiary comments suggesting that Obiena had resorted to doping to secure victories.
Allan G. Tillo vented his frustration on Facebook: ‘Just because you’ve barely earned any medals in major competitions lately, doesn’t mean your wife can tarnish the reputation of an up-and-coming vaulter. Sir, you should rein in your spouse. It’s especially embarrassing considering that you will be hosting the next Olympics.'”
Another user, @acutetonzoilopharyngitis, expressed disappointment on Instagram: “Such a shame. I appreciate good sportsmanship and the camaraderie among athletes, as we see in gymnastics, where athletes support each other regardless of their nationalities. I believed that the same spirit prevailed in the world of pole vaulting. I was mistaken. Some photos demonstrate that peace and respect can exist in this realm, but envy and misinformation can easily destroy those values.”
@salie_thatgirl on Instagram commented, “Your wife claimed Obiena was doping. Why? Because he’s outperforming both of you now? Can your wife provide evidence? No, that’s why she deleted it. What a disgrace!”
@acie48 on Instagram added, “Tell your wife that jealousy and bitterness won’t make her the number 1 vaulter.”
“Your wife needs to substantiate her allegations. Otherwise, she’s just envious or delusional, or possibly both,” stated Randy Dacanay on Facebook.
Anais, Lavillenie’s wife, accused Obiena of doping, likening it to the case of 2016 Olympic gold medalist Thiago Braz, who was recently suspended due to a failed doping test. Braz had defeated Lavillenie during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was also Obiena’s training partner under coach Vitaly Petrov.
Anais has since limited comments on her Instagram posts. Although her Facebook comment accusing Obiena of doping has been deleted, the world’s second-ranked pole vaulter shared it on his Facebook page on Monday and hinted at exploring legal action.
“I will let this story unfold as my team explores various options, including legal action. I guess this is the price you pay when you win,” he wrote at the time.
During an interview on Sportsdesk from Dubai on Monday, Obiena’s mentor, James Lafferty, revealed that Braz had not been training under Petrov for a year.
“Associating guilt by connection is extremely reckless and irresponsible,” Lafferty said. “[Obiena] has never failed a doping test, and while he’s here in Dubai, we’re even conducting a polygraph test this week, which we will publish. It’s administered by a certified polygrapher, and EJ is voluntarily taking it, which is a rare step. We’re confident that it will support our case.”
He added, “We’ve had private discussions, and he has never even considered doping, let alone come close to it. Our only concern in all of this is that no one tampered with his food or drink. We’ve had numerous discussions about not accepting anything from someone he doesn’t know, and it’s a sad state of affairs that we have to be so cautious. But as we approach the Olympic year, you can never be too careful, and we won’t consume anything unless he knows its source and can ensure it’s safe.”
Obiena, who recently clinched a gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, is now preparing for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, France.
(ai/mnm)
ERNEST John ‘EJ’ Obiena, the accomplished Filipino pole vault athlete, expressed his deep frustration and outrage on the evening of October 15th regarding the doping allegations made by Anais Lavillenie, the spouse of Renaud Lavillenie, the 2012 Olympic men’s pole vault gold medalist.
Anais chose to air her accusations against Obiena, currently ranked as the world’s second-best pole vaulter, in the comments section of Vaulter Magazine – Vaulter Club Inc. Facebook page. This transpired when the page shared an article from The Manila Times, which featured Obiena’s belief in his ability to surpass the world’s number one pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis.
In response to a comment by Lynn Lazar, who remarked, ‘Well, you have to believe to achieve. So he’s on the right track at least. Realistically? Anything is possible,’ Anais fired back, alleging that ‘Obiena doped and it’ll fall like Braz. Same coach, same plan, same objective!’
Although Anais has since removed her comment, Obiena, along with his supporters, managed to capture a screenshot of her statement, which he included in his post addressing the issue.
In his response, Obiena maintained his composure and dignity on the matter, stating, “I want to remain classy and dignified on this subject. All I will say is I am disappointed, angry, and feel wronged by these statements. I will let the story evolve while my team explores the many angles, including legal. I guess this is part of the price you pay when you win.”
The “Braz” that Anais referred to appears to be the Brazilian pole vaulter Thiago Braz, who secured the 2016 Olympic men’s pole vault gold medal but was suspended in July for testing positive for ostarine. Ostarine is classified as an investigational drug by the US FDA and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Anais also mentioned the ‘same coach,’ Ukrainian legend Vitaly Petrov, who coaches both Braz and Obiena.
Comments from fans in response to the same Facebook post called out Anais for her baseless accusations, some labeling her as bitter.
“Why delete your comment? You must face the consequences of your own stupidity,” wrote one commenter, Jan Vicon.
“Anais Lavillenie is just really bitter because a pole vaulter outside the US and Europe is succeeding and has shown improvement over time. You’re not expressing concern; you’re expressing your desire for someone’s failure,” wrote another commenter, Jericho Bullecer.
A commenter named Ameera Goma highlighted the repercussions of Anais’ comment being picked up by national news in their country and urged her to issue an apology and learn from her mistake before accusing any national athlete of cheating without factual basis.
Obiena’s ascent in the world of pole vault has been remarkable. Since finishing 11th at the Tokyo Olympics, he has climbed from the sixth position in July 2021 to the second spot in the men’s pole vault world rankings as of October 2023. Notably, he set an Asian record of 6.0 meters in the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway in June, earning a gold medal. Two months later, he replicated the feat at the World Championships in Budapest, securing a silver medal, which was a historic achievement for his country.
Obiena, who turns 28 in November, has also consistently performed well throughout the outdoor season, securing a spot on the podium in 15 out of the 16 tournaments he entered. His crowning achievement during this season was his victory in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where he established a new meet record of 5.90 meters. (ai/mnm)
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), under the leadership of President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, proudly presents a generous gift of 5 million pesos to celebrate EJ Uy Obiena, the Philippines’ first gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the world’s second-best pole vault athlete. This heartwarming gesture took place at the FFCCCII Building in Manila on October 10, 2023.
This 5 million peso cash incentive forms part of the remarkable 10 million peso reward extended to EJ Obiena by both the Chinese community and his beloved Alma Mater, Chiang Kai Shek College. These funds will greatly assist the star pole vaulter in his preparations for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
NAKOPO ni Filipino Olympian at pole vaulter EJ Obiena ang unang gold medal ng Pilipinas sa 19th Asian Games sa Hangzhou, China.
Dinomina ni Obiena ang pole vault finals kung saan mag-isa niyang na-clear ang 5.75-meter mark matapos ang dalawang pagtatangka.
Pagkatapos ay na-clear niya ang 5.90 meters sa isang attempt, na lalong nagsemento sa kanyang gold medal win.
Tinangka ni Obiena na ma-clear ang 6.02 meters subalit bigo siyang magawa ito.
Bago ang kanyang gold-clinching jump, na-clear ng pole vault world no. 2 na si Obiena ang 5.55 meters ng isang beses.
Inangkin nina Huang Bokai ng China at Hussain Asim Al Hizam ng Saudi Arabia ang silver at bronze, ayon sa pagkakasunod, sa 5.65 meters.
Sa kanyang nilundag ay binura ni Obiena ang Asian Games record na dating tangan ni Seito Yamamoto ng Japan sa 5.70 meters.
Kasalukuyang hawak ng Pinoy pole vaulter ang Asian record sa 6.0 meters.
HANGZHOU – Barring any unforeseen circumstance, Asia’s best pole vaulter and Filipino superstar Ernest John Obiena is expected to deliver the Philippines’ first gold medal in the 19th Asian Games here on Saturday.
Obiena, the overwhelming favorite to win the pole vault gold in the Asiad, is expected to obliterate the opposition in the event slated at 7:05 p.m. at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.
“My aim is to win (in Hangzhou). That’s the goal,” said Obiena in a previous interview.
The 27-year-old Obiena, who regained the no. 2 rank in the world following his runner-up finish to world champion Arman “Mondo” Duplantis in the 2023 Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon almost two weeks ago, holds the Asian record of 6 meters, he twice achieved in Budapest last August and Norway last June.
Obiena, however, doesn’t own the Asian Games record. That distinction belongs to Japanese Seito Yamamoto, who leaped to a height of 5.75 meters during the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.
The Filipino pole vaulter, who was recovering from an ACL injury at that time, placed only 7th in that edition as he struggled to find any rhythm of sorts. He went on to leap just 5.45 meters.
Obiena will be aiming for payback against the 31-year-old Yamamoto, who according to Japan Running News, will be having another tour of duty for Japan in the Asiad.
Yamamoto’s best showing this season, however, is just 5.60 he did in the L’Anneau-Halle d’athlétisme de Metz in France last February. Yamamoto plus three Chinese pole vaulters will be in the field.
“This is the opportunity for us Filipino athletes to show what we’ve got,” said Obiena, who will also have a chance to end a three-decade medal drought by the country in the Asiad, where the last medal from athletics was won by Elma Muros, who bagged the bronze in the women’s long jump event.
“We are determined to contribute to the Philippine Team’s campaign. Our men and women are ready,” said athletics secretary general and team manager Edward Kho.
The only minor concern for Obiena, if it’s a worry at all, is jet lag.
“EJ is recovering from jet lag after arriving a few days ago from a competition in Oregon, USA. But he is a veteran. He will do what he has to do come tomorrow night’s finals in the pole vault,” said athletics chief Terry Capistrano. (ai/mnm)
Ernest John Obiena secured the bronze medal at the Brussels Diamond League, as Armand Duplantis narrowly missed breaking his own world record.
Despite this, the 23-year-old Duplantis, who is also the reigning Olympic and double world champion, emerged victorious in the competition on Friday with a remarkable clearance of 6.10 meters, setting a new meet record.
Sam Kendricks of the United States and Obiena ended up second and third with 5.92m jump.
(ai/mnm)
The sight of the Philippine flag on the stands of the stadium in Germany accordingly added to his joy of snaring the gold for the second time in one week’s time, EJ Obiena said on his Facebook account.
Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, the Filipino pole vaulter who recently clinched the gold medal at the ISTAF in Berlin, Germany, has once again secured a gold medal on Wednesday (Manila time) at the NetAachen Domspringen pole vault tournament in Aachen, Germany. He achieved this feat by successfully clearing the bar at 5.92 meters. Sam Kendricks of the United States took the silver with a 5.87-meter performance, while Thibault Collet of France secured the bronze by clearing 5.82 meters.
It’s worth noting that the world’s number one pole vaulter and world record holder, Armand Duplantis of Sweden, and USA’s Christopher Nilsen did not participate in this tournament.
Just a few days prior, on September 4th, Obiena had also cleared 5.92 meters to claim the gold medal at the Istaf Berlin held at the Olympiastadion in Germany.
Obiena’s upcoming major competition is the Asian Games, set to take place later this month in Hangzhou, China. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has expressed confidence in Obiena’s ability to secure a gold medal at the event during a recent public briefing. (ai/mnm)
MANILA, Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena has made a triumphant comeback by clinching a gold medal in Berlin.
Just three days after his disappointing last-place finish in the Zurich leg of the Diamond League, the Pinoy pole vault sensation made a remarkable recovery, securing a gold medal at the Istaf Berlin held at the Olympiastadion in Germany on the early morning of Monday, September 4 (Manila time).
Obiena displayed his prowess by successfully clearing 5.92 meters in his third attempt, solidifying his spot atop the podium once again. (Sourced online/AI/MNM)
THE way Ernest John “EJ” Obiena has been performing this season makes him a cinch for an Olympic medal next year in Paris, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“He’s making sure he’ll get there,” said Tolentino Monday, a day after Obiena cleared 6.0 meters for the second time this year to finish with a silver medal at the world athletics championships in Budapest on Sunday.
“It’s not only skills and physicality that’s gone elite on EJ, but his focus and mental approach to his sport,” Tolentino added.
It was only Olympic champion and world record holder Armand Duplantis who stood on Obiena’s way for the gold medal in Hungary.
The Swede won a second consecutive world championships title at 6.10m with Obiena providing Duplantis a tough challenge—the Asian record holder attempted 6.05 and even 6.10, proof of his warrior-attitude on the field.
“It’s a year to go before Paris, one full year for EJ to get better and better,” Tolentino said. “He’ll have plenty of time to focus on setting the bar higher, and qualifying for Paris won’t be one of his challenges anymore, he’s in.”
Obiena almost went perfect in the current season by making the podium in 19 of 20 indoor and outdoor competitions he participated in.
The Asian and Southeast Asian Games champion Obiena has also already beaten Duplantis at the Diamond League’s leg in September last year in Brussels where he won the gold with 5.91m with Duplantis finishing with the silver after clearing only 5.81m.
Obiena also bagged silver at the Monaco Diamond League last July 23 when Duplantis settled for fourth place.
Next up for Obiena, who was 11th among 12 finalists in his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, are the Asian Games next month in Hangzhou, and with no Asian pole vaulter approximating his numbers, Tolentino said he’s a cinch there, too.
But Tolentino is hoping for more Filipino athletes to earn tickets to Paris in the Olympic qualifying window that ends June 30 next year.
The Asian Games, Tolentino said, also offer berths to Paris.
“We’re hopeful for more Filipino athletes to get to Paris via Hangzhou,” he said.
(ai/mnm)