FILIPINO Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena dominates the world ranking of Orlen Copernicus Cup 2022 in Poland. He successfully took home two gold medals last Feb. 22 after battling against different athletes from Brazil, Belgium, and Netherlands. The international competition was streamed through different platforms like Youtube, and also on television in some countries.

Stepped on the Wrong Foot

On Nov. 15, 2021, Obiena received letters from The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) regarding financial issues. He was accused of fabricating his liquidation paperwork and failing to pay Mr. Vitaly Petrov’s coaching fees with a total amount of €85,000 (Php 4.8 million). Consequently, Obiena’s training funding in Italy was postponed. The issue between PATAFA and Obiena spread immensely all over social media, even reaching the Senate and involving Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Despite the controversy, Obiena still fought for his goal to reach the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Golden High Jump

The journey to winning a gold medal was not easy for Obiena. However, he secured his first gold after clearing 5.81 meters against seven other competitors from countries like Poland, China, Brazil, and Belarus last Feb. 11 in Lodz, Poland. Moreover, Obiena tried to beat his record of 5.93 meters but failed to do so after three attempts. Unfortunately, he struggled to pass 5.61m with three attempts while he achieved 5.51m in his first try in the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de- Calais in France last Feb. 18. As a result, he ranked 10th among 12 other male athletes from countries such as Brazil, France, and Poland.

After the fall, Obiena won his second gold in surpassing the 5.81-meter mark after three attempts last Feb. 22 in Torun, Poland. He was able to rule over the match against ten other athletes from Belgium, Brazil, Netherlands, and Poland who mostly cleared the 5.41m, 5.61m, and 5.71m mark respectively. Obiena strived to clear the 5.91-meter mark during his final set but failed after three attacks. His best record remains at 5.93m which he achieved during the 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Austria last Sept. 11, 2021. Indeed, the world’s No.5 pole vaulter, EJ Obiena from the Philippines, jumped over the crossbar and took his second title. 

The Next Landing

Obiena is not yet done conquering the world of athletics. Amidst the issue and after a successful mediation, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced through a statement that PATAFA will now back up Obiena’s participation in the upcoming Vietnam Southeast Asian Games this May. Moreover, Obiena will also compete in the 2022 World Outdoor Athletics this July in Oregon, USA. 

His journey to the Orlen Copernicus Cup 2022 is a great reminder and inspiration to all aspiring Filipino athletes: achieving a big and successful leap would cost wrong steps and few mishaps along the way. In an Instagram post, Obiena thanked his sponsors who supported him through difficult times, “Thank you [,] everyone who has supported me. I am still here because of y[ou]all. Maraming salamat po!  #parasabayan.”