STILL wondering where Ernest John (EJ) Obiena got his pole vaulting skills? It’s safe to say that it’s from his father, Coach Emerson Obiena, who won a gold medal at this year’s World Masters Games.
EJ is not the world’s number four for no reason, and the man behind his achievement is none other than his father Emerson, a former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games silver medalist in 1993.
Emerson, a 60-year-old national team coach, proved that it is definitely a family business by scoring 3.60 in the Men’s Pole Vault 60+ and winning gold at this year’s games in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
In The Blood
Currently, the older Obiena is the Head Coach of Boys Athletics at the University of Santo Tomas, where EJ studied before. He is also the National Team Coach for the Philippine Sports Commission.
In a media interview, Obiena stated that if his foot ailment had not prevented him from jumping at 3.75, he would have done so. Playing it safe, the 60-year-old soared above the pole without thinking about the outcome.
“Last year I jumped 3.70 meters, and today, I really wanted to jump over 3.75 meters, but I was worried that my injury would get worse. So after failing the first two jumps, I decided to give up the third jump,” Obiena said.
“Considering the injury, this result is okay, but I would be happier if I could jump over 3.75 meters,” Obiena went on to say, as reported by a Chinese media, Brave Athlete.
Meanwhile, another Obiena, Matt Obiena, made headlines in the pole vaulting scene earlier this year. He is Emerson’s niece and the cousin of Olympian EJ.
Matt, like the older Obienas, won gold in the NCAA Season 100 track and field pole vault competition after clearing 4.10 meters. Confirming one further that it is a family affair.
Deep Roots
Before EJ’s name became a fixture in pole vaulting history books, his father was an athlete in his own right. He began competing in athletics at the age of 24 and eventually joined the Philippine National Pole Vault Team.
Among his notable accomplishments, as previously stated, were a silver medal at the 1993 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and a bronze medal finish at the 2005 competition in Manila.
Aside from a pole vaulting success, he also competed in bodybuilding throughout his career, including the Slimmers World 2002 competition at the age of 38.
In 2023, Obiena won gold and set a new record in the Men’s Pole Vault 55-59 class at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championships in Tarlac. Proving that the fire and passion are timeless.
Meanwhile, two-time Olympian EJ will lead a strong 15-player Philippine team to defend his pole vault title at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, which will be held in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to 31.
