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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Reservist soon? World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena visits PH Navy headquarters

Reservist soon? World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena visits PH Navy headquarters

Published Oct 4, 2022 10:29 am

Ace pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena visited the Philippine Navy (PN) headquarters in Manila on Monday, Oct. 3.

World number three pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena (left) visits Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, acting Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN), at the PN Headquarters in Manila on Oct. 3, 2022. (Photo by PN)

The 26-year-old athlete paid a courtesy call on Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, acting Flag Officer in Command of PN, during his visit.

Obiena's visit fueled talks that he is aspiring to be a military reservist either for the Navy or Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

"Automatic reservist na sa atin 'yan, sir. Congrats EJ (He should be an automatic reservist, sir. Congratulations, EJ)," said one Onel Sadz on Facebook.

"Welcome aboard, Ej. Hoyaaah, hoyaaah, hoyaaah. Navy," commented one Chito Torallo.

But other details of Obiena's visit were not immediately divulged by the PN.

If Obiena is indeed eyeing to be a Navy athlete-reservist, he will not be the first to accomplish such feat.

Other athlete-reservists of the Navy include Olympian boxers Carlo Paalam and Irish Magno, and professional boxer Jerwin Ancajas among others.

Obiena is currently Asia’s top pole vaulter. He ranks third worldwide behind top-ranked Armand Duplantis of Sweden, and second-ranked Christopher Nilsen of the United States.

This 2022, Obiena won 12 gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in various European and Asian competitions.

Among his latest feat was the setting of a new National and Asian Record after he crossed the 5.94-meter mark in the men’s pole vault of the 2022 World Athletics Championship in July in Oregon, United States that earned him a historic bronze medal.

Last month, Obiena also beat Duplantis to claim the gold medal in the Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium.

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