EJ OBIENA, the Philippines’ best pole vaulter, was awarded Athlete of the Year by the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) after bringing much pride to the country in 2023.

The 28-year-old phenom demonstrated his prowess by soaring to greater heights last year, winning three gold medals in major international competitions and breaking new records for the Philippines.

Obiena made history by being the first Filipino to join the elite six-meter club at the World Athletics Championships. He finished the year by advancing to No. 2 in world rankings.

He also completed his preparations by being the first Filipino athlete to get a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, following a silver medal performance in a tournament in Sweden in July.

According to the Facebook post, Obiena received this recognition due to the excellent credentials he gained as a pole vaulter in one year. 

“Those glowing achievements truly, are hard to ignore especially in a year when many firsts were recorded in Philippine sports history,” the article quoted PSA as saying.

“On account of it, Obiena has been chosen as the sole recipient of the Athlete of the Year honor in the coming San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-PSA Awards Night,” said the company in a statement.

Other athletes were also considered for the honor, such as the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team, which broke a 61-year drought by winning gold at the 19th Asian Games. 

The Philippine women’s national team was also recognized for their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as were Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez for their gold medals at the Asiad. 

Obiena is the first track-and-field athlete to win the prestigious prize since long-jumper Marestella Torres in 2009.