Asian Video games – Hangzhou 2022 – Athletics – Olympic Sports activities Centre Stadium, Hangzhou, China – September 30, 2023 Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena celebrates with the Philippines flag after successful the Males’s Pole Vault Last REUTERS/Jeremy Lee
What extended break?
EJ Obiena, the world No. 2 pole vaulter, continues to work even whereas in an prolonged athletics offseason, preserving himself in form by cross-training in tennis and even gymnastics.
However he’s additionally diving into an even bigger endeavor.
“The Philippines is house to unimaginable and devoted athletes, but their full potential and goals typically go unrealized as a result of restricted services, assist and media protection,’’ mentioned Obiena.
Simply over the weekend, the Asian Video games champion accomplished one other fundraiser the place the attire he utilized in his tournaments was auctioned off in particular person gadgets, the proceeds of which might be used to offer alternatives for younger pole vaulters to be like him sometime.
“I began out as this scrawny child from Tondo and obtained the chance to coach beneath an important coach with nice athletes in an important setting,’’ mentioned Obiena.
Pole vault maestro
The son of former pole vaulter Emerson Obiena caught his break when he skilled in Formia, Italy, almost a decade in the past beneath famend Ukrainian pole vault maestro Vitaly Petrov.
Obiena took the silver medal within the World Championships in Hungary this yr after a bronze medal in the US version in 2022.
The 28-year-old ace has already received the Southeast Asian Video games thrice, the Asian championships twice and broke his personal file all the best way as much as 6 meters numerous occasions.
The 2-time Olympian collected quite a few victories within the European circuit, together with defeating world No. 1 and champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden, projected as his archnemesis within the coming Paris Olympics, as soon as within the Diamond League.
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In response to Obiena, the contributions from his auctioned private gadgets will play an necessary function in securing funding for a devoted coaching facility in addition to offering much-needed assist to younger and promising pole vaulters. INQ