Pinoy Pride. One of the most well-loved Filipino athletes. Crush ng Bayan. A good role model to the Filipino youth. A complete package. Pambansang Boyfriend. Man of the Hour. An inspiration to all aspiring Filipino athletes.
These are some of the comments describing the third-best pole vaulter in the world and Pinoy Olympian Ernest John “EJ” Obiena on social media. He has won the hearts of Filipinos with his personality, sportsmanship, and athleticism.
It was great talking to EJ when he guested on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.” He admitted slight jitters, as this was his first live show interview, but EJ did well throughout the conversation, displaying the grace of a true athlete.
EJ’s love for sports started at an early age. His dad was a pole vaulter while his mom was a hurdler. He looked up to his parents and accompanied them during training. His dad was still active and competing in the Southeast Asian Games during that time.
“May video actually iyong parents ko po noong nagpupulot ako ng damo beside sa training area. Doon ako lumaki then I got used to the facilities, hanging out with the national athletes,” EJ shared.
The athlete started as a hurdler until he went into pole vault because it had a lower level of competition at that time. There were better chances for him to receive a scholarship in college.
He described the pole vault in layman’s terms. “It is a guy using a stick jumping over a stick.” EJ uses a 17-foot pole that is made from fiberglass. The pole should be one piece according to the sport’s rules.
EJ talked about his life as a pole vaulter. “Mahirap po kasi hindi nako-collapse iyong pole, so ‘pag bumibiyahe kami laging pahirapan sa check-in. Kidding aside, the training side is a mix of running, gymnastics, weightlifting, and sprinting. It’s a very unique sport. It takes time. My coach, noong nagpunta ako sa Italy, sabi po niya, ‘You need to give me five years before you get to even feel comfortable’ doon sa bagong technique na i-na-apply namin.”
The decorated Pinoy athlete is not bothered by the noise and loves the clapping of spectators. Remember that EJ asked the crowd to clap for him when it was his turn to compete in the Asian Games last year. “You have the whole stadium focusing on you. I think that’s a very unique experience.”
EJ keeps in mind the technical adjustments that his Ukrainian coach, Vitaly Petrov, instructs him to do during competitions. He prays for strength and tries to calm himself when he is a bit overwhelmed. EJ admits that he is affected by the performance of the pole vaulter who comes before and after him. “That’s why I pass sometimes. It’s a tactic din to give myself time to rest.”
He cleared 5.90 meters and finished fourth in the men’s pole vault competition at the Paris Olympics that was held at Stade de France.
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis won the gold medal, while Sam Kendricks of the USA and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took home the silver and bronze, respectively. The result was heartbreaking for EJ. “In my sport, three lang iyong rewarded at the end of the competition and that’s the first, second, and third. Fourth until the last place, you’re a non-medalist. For me, as a competitor, I’m aiming for that podium and I wanna win,” he explained.
EJ is currently in a relationship with German athlete Caroline Joyeux, who recently arrived in the Philippines. “She’s really amazing and she makes me want to be a better person.”
Many find EJ appealing after watching him compete in the recent Olympics and learning more about him on social media. He gained so much admiration from his countrymen. How does he handle fame and the countless times people would say he is handsome?
“I don’t know how to feel. It’s a bit odd. May kaklase ako before sabi niya, ‘Iyong parents mo hindi naman pangit, bakit ang pangit mo?’ It’s weird for me to be honest po,” EJ replied.
I wish only the best for EJ because he deserves it. He is a good son and makes the Filipinos proud with his achievements as an athlete. May he finally fulfill his dream of winning the gold medal at the 2028 LA Olympics. It is also our collective dream as Filipino.