Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena, the Filipino pole vault sensation, demonstrated his prowess at the Monaco leg of the Wanda Diamond League, securing a remarkable silver medal at the Stade Louis-II in Fontvieille, Monaco on an early Saturday, July 22 (Manila time).

Having recently climbed to world no. 2, Obiena soared over the bar at 5.82 meters, securing an impressive second-place finish. The gold medal was claimed by American Christopher Nilsen, who cleared 5.92 meters with exceptional skill.

Interestingly, the competition held a sense of redemption for Nilsen, who was formerly ranked second in the world before being overtaken by Obiena, now at world no. 3.

Aussie Kurtis Marschall also achieved a height of 5.82 meters, but he settled for the bronze medal after a countback, having required two tries to clear 5.72 meters, while Obiena managed it in just one attempt.

Surprisingly, the current world no. 1, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis of Sweden, missed the podium with a surprising clearance of only 5.72 meters. This result was unusual for Duplantis, who is known for effortlessly clearing 6.0 meters.

Duplantis successfully cleared 5.72 meters on his first attempt but encountered difficulties when skipping 5.82 meters and attempting 5.92 meters twice, to no avail. In a bold effort to regain his usual form, he made his final attempt at 6.02 meters but was unable to clear it.

Similarly, Obiena, who started at 5.62 meters and then progressed to 5.82 meters, faced challenges at 5.92 meters, failing to clear it in two tries. With determination, he made a final courageous attempt at 6.02 meters, but unfortunately, it proved unsuccessful. (ai/mnm)

Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, the Filipino pole vaulter, has soared to a career-high position as the second-best pole vaulter in the world.

According to World Athletics statistics, he achieved an impressive score of 1432, surpassing American Christopher Nilsen, who held a score of 1428.

The reigning Olympic champion and world record holder, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, continues to reign supreme as the world’s number one pole vaulter, with an outstanding score of 1569.

Securing the fourth spot is American athlete Sam Kendricks, who scored 1352, while the fifth position goes to Brazil’s 2016 Olympic champion, Thiago Braz.

Overjoyed with his achievement, Obiena expressed his gratitude on his social media handles, thanking everyone who contributed to his success and acknowledging those who supported him throughout his journey.

At 27 years old, hailing from Tondo, EJ Obiena has already qualified for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris, France. His exceptional performance, clearing 5.82 meters at the Bauhaus Galan in Sweden, solidified his spot in the prestigious sporting event. (ai/mnm)

Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena, the accomplished Filipino pole vaulter, once again showcased his dominance in Asia by successfully defending his championship title at the Asian Athletics Championships.

The event, held on July 16 at the Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, witnessed Obiena’s remarkable performance.

In the pole vault competition, Obiena soared to new heights, securing the gold medal while setting a fresh meet record of 5.91 meters. With his jumps commencing at 5.51 meters, Obiena flawlessly cleared heights of 5.56 and 5.80 meters. Subsequently, he surpassed the 5.71-meter mark, matching his record-breaking jump from the 2019 edition of the tournament in Doha, where he initially emerged as the victor.

Although Obiena made valiant attempts to achieve a new Asian and personal record of 6.02 meters, he was unsuccessful after three tries. Nonetheless, his outstanding performance earned him the top spot on the podium, solidifying his position as a formidable pole vaulter.

Hussein Asim Alhizam from Saudi Arabia secured the silver medal with a jump of 5.56 meters, while Bokai Huang from China settled for the bronze medal with a jump of 5.51 meters.

This victory marks Obiena’s third gold medal in the outdoor season this year. He initiated his winning streak with a gold medal at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he set a new meet standard of 5.65 meters. Furthermore, he attained another gold medal by establishing a new Asian record of 6.0 meters at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway on June 10.

Throughout the season, Obiena’s performances have been consistently impressive. Since the SEA Games, he has maintained a streak of podium finishes, including a bronze medal at the Memorial Irena Szewinska in Bydgoszcz, Poland on June 7, where he jumped 5.72 meters. Subsequently, he set the new Asian record at the Bergen Jump Challenge and secured a bronze medal with a jump of 5.81 meters at the Oslo Diamond League-Bislett Games in Norway on June 16.

Continuing his successful run, Obiena claimed a bronze medal with a jump of 5.90 meters at the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on June 28. He then achieved a silver medal with a clearance of 5.82 meters at the Bauhaus-Galan on July 3 in Sweden, which also earned him a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, Obiena attained another silver medal with a jump of 5.72 meters at the Meeting International de Sotteville in France on July 8 before his triumphant performance at the Asian Athletics Championships.

Obiena’s exceptional achievements not only highlight his remarkable talent and consistency in pole vaulting but also establish him as a prominent figure in the sport.

(ai/mnm)

In the early hours of Saturday, July 8 (Manila time), Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena clinched a silver medal at the Meeting International de Sotteville, held at the Jean Adret Stadium in France.

Just five days after achieving a remarkable height of 5.82m in Sweden, which made him the first Filipino to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Obiena managed to clear 5.72m this time, earning him a second-place finish.

Australian athlete Kurtis Marschall, with an impressive personal best of 5.95m, took the top spot and claimed the gold medal in the competition, which featured a field of ten participants, including six from France.

Among the French competitors was Baptiste Thiery, who achieved a personal best of 5.72m, securing the bronze medal in the process.

Obiena surpassed Thiery’s performance, as he cleared 5.72m in just one attempt, while Thiery required two tries to achieve the same height. (ai/mnm)

MANILA – The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) has commended pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for earning a slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The world’s No. 3 Obiena cleared the Olympic standard of 5.82 meters to claim the silver medal during the 2023 Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden on July 2.

World’s No. 1 Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden registered 6.05m to claim the gold medal while Pal Haugen Lillefosse of Norway (5.72m) settled for the bronze medal.

“On behalf of President Terry Capistrano and the PATAFA, we congratulate EJ Obiena for securing the Paris Olympic slot for pole vault in his first competition during the Olympic qualification window,” the PATAFA said in a statement on Monday.

PATAFA is hoping that Obiena’s achievement as the first Filipino to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics will inspire other Filipino athletes to work hard to make it to the world’s most prestigious sports event.

“We are delighted that EJ can now focus on preparing for the Olympics, Asian Athletics Championships, and the Asian Games. We are grateful to the continued support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to EJ. We also extend our thanks and congratulations to EJ’s coaching team. Mabuhay ang Atletang Pilipino!” the statement added.

Obiena, 27, also qualified for the last Tokyo Olympics but failed to win a medal.

Meanwhile, Obiena will lead the national athletics team in the Asian Championships scheduled from July 12 to 16 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Other members of the team are Eric Cray (men’s 400m), Janry Ubas (men’s long jump), Umajesty Williams (men’s 400m and 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m), Michael Carlo del Prado (men’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m), Frederick Ramirez (men’s 400m and 4x400m), Joyme Sequita (men’s 4x400m), Maureen Schrijvers (women’s 400m and 4x400m), Robyn Brown (women’s 400m Hurdles and 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m), Bernalyn Bejoy (women’s 800m and 4x400m), Jessel Lumapas ( women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m), Sonny Wagdos (men’s 5000m and 10,000m), John Cabang Tolentino (men’s 110m Hurdles), Clinton Bautista (men’s 110m Hurdles), William Morrison (men’s shot put), Aries Toledo (men’s decathlon), Johnmike Lera (men’s decathlon), Arlan Arbois (men’s 10000m), Gennah Malapit (women’s javelin throw), Joida Gagnao (women’s 3000m steeplechase), Ronne Malipay (men’s triple jump), Sarah Dequinan (women’s heptathlon) and Kristina Knott (women’s 100m and 200m).

Coaches Jojo Posadas, Sean Guevara, Dario de Rosas, Danilo Fresnido, Eduardo Buenavista, Emerson Obiena, Isidro del Prado, Martin Dela Fuente (Spanish coach of Cabang), Samantha Cray (wife-coach of Eric) and Vitaly Petrov (Ukranian coach of EJ) will accompany the athletes.

Also joining the trip are Capistrano and PATAFA Executive Vice President Guillermo Torres and Secretary General Edward Kho, national training director Renato Unso and Jasper Tanhueco, who will serve as team manager.

The other Cambodia SEA Games medalists in the team are Cray (gold, 400m), Ubas (gold, long jump), Ramirez (bronze, 400m); Del Prado, Ramirez, Sequita and Williams (gold, men’s 4x400m relay); Arbois (silver, marathon); Williams (silver, 400m); Wagdos (1500m); Gagnao (3000m steeplechase); Brown (400m); Malipay (silver, triple jump); Dequinan (hepthatlon); Malapit (silver, javelin throw); Bejoy, Brown, Lumapas and Schrijvers (silver, 4x400m relay); Brown, Lumapas, Ramirez and Williams (bronze, mixed 4x400m relay); Toledo (bronze, decathlon); and Tolentino (bronze, 110m hurdles). (PNA)

EJ Obiena in action (Olympic Council of Asia photo courtesy)

He is already assured of a slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics but for star pole vaulter EJ Obiena, so much work is yet to be done.

EJ Obiena, the Philippines’ and Asia’s top pole vaulter, has secured his spot in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics by meeting the Olympic entry standard height of 5.82m at the Bauhaus-Galan event held at Stockholm Olympic Stadium in Sweden on Monday, July 3 (Manila time).

Despite his accomplishment, Obiena is not ready to rest on his achievements.

He recognizes the need to continue working hard, especially after acknowledging some “rookie mistakes” during the competition, where he ultimately earned a silver medal.

In a Facebook post on Monday night, the 6-foot-2 athlete based in Italy stated, “We still have plenty of work ahead of us. I made some rookie mistakes yesterday, proving that I am constantly learning and growing in this sport.”

Obiena cleared the bar at 5.72m on his second attempt and repeated the same success at 5.82m. However, he decided to skip the 5.90m mark and made three unsuccessful attempts at surpassing 5.95m.

(AI/MNM)