Ernest John Obiena (updated)

Ernest John Obiena

Ernest Obiena goes into the SEA Games with much more experience than he had 2 years

ago. In 2013 EJ was 4th at the SEA Games at 18 years of age, in 2015 he improved to silver.

Now he looks like he is in the driver’s seat for the Gold. The last man to win a gold at the

SEA Games in this event was Edward Lasquette back in 1995. He won 3 golds 1991, 1993,

1995.

Obiena comes back with a 5.61m SEA Record and Asian Bronze medal. He is

an overwhelming favorite for the gold in Malaysia with his nearest rival 5.40m.

Unfortunately, EJ Obiena was sidelined by an unforeseen injury in training leading up to
SEA Games was unable to participate. Pinoyathletics wishes him and his team all the best for
a speedy recovery for his attempt to win the Gold at the 2018 Asian Games.

Profile:

Born: 17th November 1995

College: the University of Santo Tomas (previously Ateneo De Manila)

Coach: Vitaly Petrov and Emerson Obiena

Philippine Team 2014 Onwards

Ernest John Obiena is Filipino Pole Vaulter. He holds all four major national Pole Vault

records. He has broken the Philippine National Record 16 times. Also holding the National

Record at 5.55m and the National Indoor Record at 5.40m, Also holding the National Junior

Record 5.21m, and National Junior Indoor Record at 5.00m.

Consequently, his National Record was accomplished on April 29, 2016, at the 78th

Singapore Open Championships in Kallang, Singapore.

Also, Ernest John Obiena is the first Filipino that has been given a scholarship from the

International Athletic Association Federation (IAAF).

Sporting career

Obiena’s father, Emerson serves as his coach. Also formerly served as the former Athletics

national team member.

In early 2014, for three months, Obiena with his father was given an opportunity to train

under coach Vitaly Petrov in Formia, Italy. First of all, Vitaly had previously coached Sergey

Bubka. As a result of this on July 20, 2014, at the PATAFA weekly relays held at the

PhilSports Football and Athletics Stadium. Hence Obiena broke the national record for pole

vault by registering 5.01 meters. The previous record was 5.0 meters by Edward Lasquete at

the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Consequently, the junior national record

was also broken, since Obiena at that time is 18 years old. While the previous record was

4.31 set three years ago.

Most noteworthy he later broke his own record several times in 2014 alone (5.05, 5.05, 5.15,

5.20, 5.21). Hence by the time Obiena became ineligible for the national junior record, the

record was 5.21 which Obiena set himself.

Therefore in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, Obiena won a silver medal with a leap of 5.25

meters, that time his’ personal record. In addition, Obiena won a gold medal in the 2016

Philippine National Games Finals in Lingayen, Pangasinan after breaking a new personal

record (5.47 meters). While having problems with a broken pole.

EJ set a new Filipino Record in Singapore Open 2015.

The Big Highlight came through when Obiena leaped 5.50m to capture the Bronze medal for

the Philippines at the Asian Championships. The first medal to ever be won for the

Philippines in the Pole Vault at Asian level. At Leuvesken, Germany he increased the

Filipino record again to 5.61m. This mark was just 9cm off the Olympic 5.70m qualifying

mark. EJ who just missed out on 2016 selection, will be 24 when the 2020 Olympics in

Tokyo roar around.

Article

I am a filipino vaulter who has a dream to become a world class athlete. I am
currently the National Indoor record holder and i have equalled the highest vault of
a filipino which is 5.00 meters. I am aiming to qualify and join the World Juniors
Championship this coming July in Eugene, Oregon

Hi! I am Ernest John Obiena 18 years old. I am from Manila, Philippines. My Goal is to

Qualify for the upcoming World Juniors Championship. While under my father’s

supervision, I was able to clear 5m in Nan-tou International Pole Vault Championship this

year. Also, I placed 7th out of 26 competitors, which came from Taiwan, Malaysia, USA,

China, Japan, Australia, and Thailand. Consequently, my performance set a new record both

for the National Junior indoor Record and National Men Indoor Record.

Ernest Obiena bending the pole. www.ernestobiena.com

While my Goal is to clear 5.05m officially before July 2014 to be the first homegrown

Filipino to qualify and represent our country in the World Juniors Championship in

Eugene, Oregon USA.

Since usually we are sending “token athletes” in the World Junior Championship because we

have not yet hit the qualifying standard. Because my Personal Record as of now is 5.00m,

which is just 5cm (2”) of the standard set by the World Juniors Championship committee.

Also I had been clearing this height at times during training. Because I have to do it

officially in an IAAF recognized competitions and clear 5.05 officially.

Hence Since June 2013 up to present the only Track Oval with pole vault facility (Pasig,

Ultra) in metro manila is not available for use. Due to ongoing renovations. First of all we are

blessed to have someone who helps us get pass thru this crisis like Mr. Misael Perez and Mr.

Ricky Palou of Ateneo, Fr. Ermito de Sagon OPD, Mr. Manny Calipes and Mr. Joey Lao of

UST, Mr. Anthony Dee of Dee Hua Liong High School and others to train in their facilities.

Because of this Pole Vaulting was able to continue and progress.

Furthermore, on January 12, 2014, I met the World Record Holder in my event, which is Mr.

Sergey Bubka. Mr. Bubka said the I should apply for the Olympic B project that the IAAF is

offering for athletes like me. Also, he encouraged my coach/father to join so that he could

learn more and continue my training after the program in Italy. Hence with Gods blessing, I

was able to clear 5m, Became I was eligible for the program and was offered a 90 days

scholarship to train in Formia, Italy. While unfortunately my coach/father have to shoulder

all his expenses in joining me.

Consequently, the program offered by the IAAF would be a big help for us to prepare for the

upcoming World Juniors Championship. And we can apply the additional knowledge we

learned and help improve Pole Vaulting furthermore in our country. Also, I am

humbly asking for your generosity by helping us to save money for my father/coach’s Plane

Ticket, Accommodation, Food, and Transpo. Consequently, The total amount (7300) will

cover the 90-day of stay in Formia, Italy under Vitaly Petrov the coach of Mr. Sergey Bubka.

First of all this Opportunity is very rare and I am most grateful that I was picked among

others to join this program. Also, this would help me accomplish my goal to represent my

country in a world-class competition.

Thank you very much for reading.

News Articles:

Photo Gallery:

The newest star of the Obiena Dynasty Francis. The son of Emerson’s younger brother and former SEA Games Bronze Medalist in Decathlon Edward Obiena.source: https://ernestobiena.com/

Ernest Obiena chilling out with his father and Coach Emerson Obiena at the Singapore SEA Games 2015 (photo credit: Veloci L/Time Studio)

Emerson Obiena with Ernest John Obienasource: https://ernestobiena.com/

Pooranot, Obiena, Sintacheewa, and Sheng Yao.source: https://ernestobiena.com/

Ernest Obiena breaking records faster than they can be updated.source: https://ernestobiena.com/

Jeanette Obiena getting used to measuring new national records on a weekly basis.

ernest-obiena-0 — Again a National Junior Record. EJ Obiena on his way to SEA Games selection.

ej-riezel-and-the-mat — photo credit: EJ Obiena

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Ernest John Obiena (updated)