Filipino Pole Vault athlete Ernest John “Ej” Uy Obiena hailed for winning two gold medals and a bronze medal in three world events during the past weeks. Photo courtesy: EJ Obiena FB page
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution commending and congratulating Filipino Pole Vault athlete Ernest John “Ej” Uy Obiena for winning two gold medals and a bronze medal in three world events during the past weeks.
House Resolution (HR) No. 765 was introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Tingog Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre. HR 765 was adopted in consolidation with HR Nos. 739 and 769.
“What EJ Obiena has achieved has once again brought honor to the Philippines in the world stage. His accomplishments deserve our highest honors and recognition,” said Romualdez. Last January 29, Obiena won his first gold medal for the year by winning the Perche En Or competition in Roubaix, France after clearing a season-best 5.82 meters in his first attempt to dominate the 12-player field.
China’s Yao Jie placed second and France’s Ethan Cormont won third place. Five days after, on February 3, Obiena won the bronze medal by clearing another season-best 5.91 meters, which matched his Philippine indoor record, just behind world record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden who won the gold and KC Lightfoot of the United States who placed second.
Then a week after earning his gold medal in France, Obiena again bagged another gold medal on February 5 in the Orlen Cup held in Lodz, Poland after hurling a 5.77 meters bar. He has bested former world champion Sam Kendricks of the United States, Piotr Lisek of Poland, and Claudio Michel Stecchi of Italy.
The resolution noted Obiena’s excellent record as an athlete, mentioning his medals in pole vaulting events such as the Asian Athletics Championships during the 23rd Biennial Meet in Doha, Qatar; the 22nd World Athletics Championships held in Oregon, USA on July 24, 2022; his gold medal in the 26th Internationales Stabhocsprung-Meet in Jockgrim, Germany on August 23, 2022; and many more.
“A deserving athlete, EJ Obiena holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to be given a scholarship by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF),” the resolution read.
“Dominating the international competitions in the field of pole vaulting, Ernest John ‘EJ’ Uy Obiena deserves utmost distinction and commendation for continuously bringing honor and glory to the Philippines and unselfishly inspiring Filipino athletes to work hard and aim high – to be the best in their chosen field of sport,” it added.
A copy of the resolution will be given to Obiena.
