Cover EJ Obiena is set to reach Olympic glory, showing he's the ultimate high flyer in pole vaulting (Photo: Instagram / @ernestobienapv)
EJ Obiena is set to reach Olympic glory, showing he's the ultimate high flyer in pole vaulting (Photo: Instagram / @ernestobienapv)
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EJ Obiena is ready to launch his Olympic dreams to new heights, proving that in pole vaulting, he’s the ultimate high flyer
Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is not just setting records; he’s setting the bar—quite literally. Ranking as the world’s second in men’s pole vaulting, he’s proving that the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning.
Now, he’s soaring towards history at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Philippines collectively held its breath as the 28-year-old pole vault superstar faced a nail-biting moment just this weekend. He nearly met an early exit with back-to-back fouls at 5.60 metres during the qualification, but he managed to rally and keep the nation’s hopes alive.
Obiena cleared 5.75 metres, securing his place in the finals and setting the stage for a potential historic medal, a feat not achieved by a Filipino in athletics since 1936. This also marks a new height from his previous Olympic outing in Tokyo, where he finished at 5.70 metres.
As he prepares to aim for gold in the men’s pole vault final on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila time), explore Obiena's life and career, which make him a standout athlete among Tatler Asia's Most Influential.
It’s in the family
EJ Obiena found his passion for track and field sports as a young boy watching his father, Emerson, train at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila for the Southeast Asian Games. Meanwhile, his mother, Jeanette, was a hurdler. His sister, Emily, also took up pole vaulting.
“My dad needs to train, and my mom has work. So I get dragged into the track and that's where I basically grew up,” he tells Tatler. “The stadium was my playground.”
Read more: EJ Obiena on his aspiration to leave a lasting mark for the youth
Coached by a legend
EJ Obiena is a legend honed by a legend. In 2014, Obiena, with the support of his family, made a pivotal decision that would elevate his career—he moved to Italy to train under world-renowned coach Vitaly Petrov.
Known for coaching multiple Olympic champions, including the iconic Sergey Bubka, his guidance has been influential in refining Obiena’s technique and performance.
Aside from improving his skills, this training also exposed Obiena to a global perspective on the sport.
Read more: Meet Bianca Pagdanganan, the Filipino golf star swinging for Olympic glory
Six-metre club
Repeatedly shattering pole vault records, EJ Obiena is a name synonymous with record-breaking performances. He beats his own record one after the other.
Last year, he became the first Asian pole vaulter to join the exclusive “six-metre club” after he achieved the milestone at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway. This made him the 28th member of the elite group that includes legendary athletes such as Sergey Bubka, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, and Thiago Braz.
Previous to this remarkable height, he jumped 5.94 metres at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, setting a new benchmark and elevating pole vaulting in the region.
He wasn’t free from trials
While EJ Obiena seemed to have done everything perfectly, challenges still got in the way. In 2022, he faced accusations of mismanagement of funds meant for his coach, Petrov, which led to his temporary removal from the national team.
The public nature of the allegations led to emotional turmoil, with Obiena describing it as a “trial by social media”. Despite the pressure and scrutiny, he received strong support from fellow athletes. Obiena didn’t back down, and the government eventually cleared him of the accusations.
Read more: 7 unusual sports from around the world
He gives back to the community
Beyond his personal achievements, EJ Obiena is committed to giving back. After clinching gold at the Southeast Asian Games, he auctioned off his customised shoes to raise funds for young pole vaulters.
He also aims to create more opportunities for future generations, with dreams of establishing a pole vaulting facility in the Philippines.
Read more: Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo brings home two Olympic gold medals
He aspires to be an engineer
While his skills in the pole vault field are well-known, few may know that he is also pursuing an academic path in electronics engineering at the University of Santo Tomas. Focusing on his athletic career pushed him to take a leave from his academics but finishing it is always a goal in his mind.
“I really want to finish [my education] and I want to graduate in UST,” he says in an interview.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
