Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena has not forgotten what it truly means to be an honorable athlete, especially for a developing country like the Philippines.
His sacrifices during his practices and trainings, with every run, jump, and clearance he does, Obiena looks at the sport of pole vault as a means to drive positive change.
Last January 29, Obiena received the accolade of being the Athlete of the Year at the 2023 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards at at the Diamond Hotel’s grand ballroom. Obiena’s parents Jeanette and Emerson walked up the stage and received the trophy of their son, who’s currently in Italy training for his 2024 indoor and outdoor season.
Obiena continues to beef up his athlete portfolo being the first Filipino athlete to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and who made the podium 15 times out of the 16 tournaments he joined in the outdoor season last 2023.
The Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games champ with record-setting 5.65-m clearance last year added shared that it’s not really a question of what they do but how they leverage that and how they create positive change.
For Obiena, that’s always been a bit of an ulterior focus. Being an athlete is a means to an end. As a means to inspire the next generation of the youth, to strengthen the ability and talent of this country and as a means of nation-building.
While Obiena rued the opportunity to dress up, receive his trophy in person, and lead the total of 140 awardees in what is considered the biggest Awards Night in the 75-year history of PSA, he said that staying and training in Italy is what’s best for him as he gears up for the Paris Games in July.
With additional report, The Manila Times, Neil Victor C. Masoy
