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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider What was EJ Obiena doing at the House of Representatives?

What was EJ Obiena doing at the House of Representatives?

Published Oct 11, 2022 02:44 pm

Why did Philippine pole vault phenom EJ Obiena visit the House of Representatives in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 11?

EJ Obiena kicked (left) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker's office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez received Obiena inside his office to present the ace pole-vaulter with a copy of the adopted House resolution honoring the latter for bringing pride and glory to the Philippines.

Obiena, whose full name is Ernest John “EJ” Uy Obiena, was handed House Resolution (HR) No. 10 during the simple handover ceremony.

"We’ll be rooting for you, we’ll be praying for you, and cheering for you all the way,” Romualdez told Obiena, who is preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Obiena thanked the Leyte 1st district congressman for the warm welcome he received, saying the expression of support of the House inspires him to strive harder for the country’s prestige.

“It’s very flattering to receive such an honor. It’s good to know that the whole House is at the back of every Filipino athlete who competes for the country,” the star athlete said.

Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez (Party-List, Tingog),Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III (5th Dist., Isabela), James “Jojo” Ang Jr. (Party-list, USWAG ILONGGO), and Jernie Jett Nisay (Party-list, PUSONG PINOY) joined the speaker during the event.

The House is in the middle of a month-long recess.

Obiena, who will turn 28 next month, is considered a strong contender for the pole vault gold in the next Olympics. This, after he managed to beat the pole vault world record holder last Sept. 2, 2022, in the Diamond League held in Brussels, Belgium.

Obiena won his first gold medal on Aug. 23, 2022, at the 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting held in Jockgrim, Germany. He then plucked another gold during the True Athletes Classics 2022 in Leverkusen, Germany on Aug. 28, 2022.

In Jockrim, Obiena kicked off his seven-meet winning streak by clearing 5.81 meters and beating 10 other competitors, including second placer Christopher Nilsen of the United States (US), who cleared with 5.71 meters, and Kurtis Marschall of Australia, who earned the third spot with the same height of 5.71 meters.

Aside from bagging the two gold medals, the Filipino pole vaulter also met the qualifying standard for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

From his historic bronze finish in the 2022 World Athletic Championships in Oregon in the US, Obiena rose from number 6 to number 3 in the men’s pole vault ranking while retaining his number 1 rank in Asia.

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Martin Romualdez EJ Obiena
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