Ernest John “EJ” Obiena

A truly towering figure in global sport, Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is the Philippines’ pre-eminent athlete, a pole vault sensation who consistently competes on the world stage. Obiena holds the Asian record and is an established member of the exclusive “six-metre club”, a feat he achieved at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway in 2023. That year also saw him claim gold at the Asian Games and a historic silver at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest—the Philippines’ first-ever medal at the international event.

Entering the 2024 Paris Olympics where he ranked third in the world, Obiena continues to demonstrate his commitment to his sport and his country, actively supporting Filipino athletes and inspiring the next generation through philanthropic efforts.

Following a challenging period, the 2025 season marked a formidable return for the champion. He signalled his resurgence with a pivotal victory in February, claiming his first win of the indoor season at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France with a clearance of 5.70 metres.

Obiena’s dominance in Asia was then unequivocally reaffirmed in May at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea where he soared to an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal with a clearance of 5.77 metres.

However, the true crowning moment of his season was a triumphant homecoming. In September, Obiena ruled the inaugural Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati, Philippines, winning the World Athletics-sanctioned event with a season-best clearance of 5.80 metres. This remarkable victory, achieved on home soil against a stellar roster of globally acclaimed athletes, cemented his status as a national icon and a persistent force in world pole vaulting.