Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, the world's No. 2 pole vaulter, gave an inspiring performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although he narrowly missed a podium finish in the men’s pole vault final, his impressive fourth-place ranking is a testament to his dedication and skill. Obiena cleared 5.90 meters and came incredibly close to the bronze, making all of us proud and certain that he’s gained more fans eager to learn more about him.
If you’re a fan like we are, here are 10 facts to know about this incredible athlete.
Who Is EJ Obiena? 10 Facts About the Filipino Pole Vaulter
1. He’s a Scorpio
Born on November 17, 1995, EJ Obiena’s star sign is Scorpio. Known for their intense passion, magnetic presence, and unyielding determination, Scorpios are natural-born achievers. EJ embodies these traits perfectly in his pole vaulting career!
2. He started pole vaulting because of his dad
EJ shared on Instagram, “I am a pole vaulter because my father was a pole vaulter.” His father, Emerson Obiena, discovered his passion for the sport at the Rizal Memorial, the only pole vault pit in the National Capital Region during the early '90s.
3. He started pole vaulting at eight years old
After initially focusing on hurdles, EJ then took up pole vaulting at the age of eight. His father coached him until he was 18, and EJ competed in the 100 and 400-meter hurdles events during high school at Chiang Kai Shek College.
4. He’s a Porsche Design brand ambassador
EJ proudly represents Porsche Design, a brand that not only produces great products but also invests in the Filipino community. He collaborated with them on a project in Katutubo Village, Porac, Pampanga, providing essential medical supplies. EJ’s commitment to community service reflects his belief in sports as a tool for national pride and unity.
5. He overcame a knee injury
EJ underwent surgery back in 2022 to clean his meniscus and remove a screw from a previous ACL reconstruction. Despite this challenge, he remained focused on recovery and returned to competition.
6. His coach is Vitaly Petrov
In 2014, EJ moved to Italy to train under the legendary coach Vitaly Petrov, who has coached world champions and Olympic gold medalists like Sergey Bubka and Yelena Isinbayeva.
7. He loves wearing silly socks during his competitions
EJ adds a touch of fun to his pole vaulting attire by wearing quirky, eye-catching socks. From bright yellow SpongeBob socks to Santa Claus designs, his playful style (aside from his skill) surely makes him stand out. Read why he wears them here!
8. He launched a fundraiser
After winning gold at the Southeast Asian Games, he auctioned his customized shoes to raise funds for young pole vaulters. His “Katapulting an Athlete’s Dream” initiative aims to build pole vault training pits across the Philippines, creating more opportunities for future generations.
9. He’s an aspiring engineer
EJ is not only a top athlete but also an aspiring electronics engineer. He is currently on leave at the University of Santo Tomas, where he hopes to continue his education in the future.
10. He has a girlfriend
EJ is in a relationship with a fellow track athlete Caroline Joyeaux. They’ve been together for almost four years now!
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