Each athlete has their own pre-competition ritual, and for some, it can even extend to their sartorial choices. In the case of Filipino pole vaulter extraordinaire EJ Obiena, one of his lucky charms comes down to his unique and funky collection of socks!
READ: Why EJ Obiena Wears Quirky Socks During Competitions
The Filipino Olympian has long been noted for his penchant for eccentric sets of socks, which are often spotted by audiences during his competitions. The athlete’s quirky picks were the subject of netizens’ delight during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when EJ wore a pair of mismatched Spongebob Squarepants-themed socks. One foot sported the bright yellow shade of the iconic Nickelodeon character, while the other repped the patterns of Patrick Star!
In 2022, the pole vaulter flaunted his collection once more at the World Athletics Championships. While breaking the Asian record on that day, EJ was spotted wearing bright blue socks featuring Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, complete with cookie prints and text that said “I’m a Monster.”
His round at the Paris 2024 Olympics was no exception, as he even upped his sock game by wearing a customized pair! At the qualification round, EJ wore a set of purple socks that brandished the faces of his parents.
During the finals round where he landed a commendable fourth place, EJ had on a blue set that repped the face of his coach, Vitaly Petrov.
As to why he opts to don these unique sets of socks, the pole vaulter explained that they’re there to ground him, noting that the socks also bear messages. “It’s a reminder [to not] take myself too seriously,” EJ said at a 2022 press conference, according to GMA News.
“What does an athlete do when he gets overwhelmed or something, you look at your feet, right?” he continued. “And then you see these funky socks, you just remember that I’m still doing a game, this is still a sport. This is something that I should enjoy. Those are the biggest reasons why I use those socks.”
At the Paris Games, EJ also revealed to GMA News that he opted to wear socks with his parents’ faces, so as to stay inspired as he competes.
SHOP: The Exact Socks EJ Obiena Has Worn During Pole Vaulting Competitions
While EJ’s customized pairs are off-limits to the public, the pole vaulter’s previous picks from his collection can be bought in stores and online. Non-Olympians can get in gear with his Spongebob set from H&M, while EJ’s Cookie Monster pair is available at Jungle Socks–and yes, the latter is made for sports!
Motif-Detail Socks, P299, H&M, hm.com
Motif-Details Socks, P299, H&M, hm.com
Cookie Monster, 12.99 EUR (approx. P820), JUNGLE SOCKS, junglesocks.com
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