EJ Obiena sustained his winning form as he conquered the German skies with an impressive finish in the men’s long jump event of the City Jump tournament in St. Wendel early Thursday (Manila time).
Obiena, the third-best pole vaulter in the world, registered 5.86 meters to set the record in the German tourney that still kept its prestige despite the absence of the big guns like world record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden and Christopher Nilsen of the United States.
Menno Vloon of The Netherlands and Anthony Ammirati of France posted an identical 5.81-meter marks, but the former took the silver medal via countback.
Obiena’s mark is his highest since clearing 5.94 meters to clinch the bronze medal in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July.
He was unstoppable since then as he won three gold medals with four podium finishes in the past nine days.
Prior to this win, Obiena ruled the Stabhochspringmeeting in Jockgrim last 23 August and the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, both in Germany.
He also finished third in the Athletissima event in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 26-year-old Tokyo Olympian said playing before a roaring crowd definitely fired him up.
“Back to back. Third attempt on opening height made this competition even more breathtaking,” said Obiena, who is being groomed to win the country’s second Olympic gold medal in Paris in 2024.
“As always the competition atmosphere was amazing and thank you for having me St. Wendel.”
But Obiena is still far from done.
He is set to compete in the Memorial Van Damme meeting on Friday, followed by the ISTAF 2022 in Berlin on Sunday.
He caps off his busy schedule with the Golden Fly event in Schaan, Liechtenstein on 11 September.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has adopted a resolution honoring Obiena for his string of victories in Europe.
The lower chamber adopted Wednesday House Resolution 317 in consolidation with HR 103, 105, 123, 131, 138, 147, 207, and 246, recognizing his victories in the past four international competitions.
The resolution stated that the exemplary performance of Obiena in pole vaulting “deserves utmost commendation and distinction for the honor and glory he brought to the country.”
“Resolved by the House of Representatives, to congratulate Ernest John ‘EJ’ Uy Obiena for winning the gold medals in the 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting held in Jockgrim, Germany and in the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, Germany. Resolved, further, that a copy of this Resolution be given to Ernest John ‘EJ’ Uy Obiena,” the resolution read.
HR 317 was authored and passed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, presidential son Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, and Tingog Partylist Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
“With his string of accomplishments, EJ’s feat is one of the greatest in Philippine athletics’ history and underscored the kind of dizzying heights the country has achieved in pole vaulting,” the resolution said.
“He is set to compete again in various events, and with his hard work and determination to be the best male pole vaulter, success is within his reach.”
In a social media post, the Italy-based Obiena extended his gratitude to the lawmakers for recognizing his feats.
“Greatest of thanks for the commendation,” Obiena said.
With edjen Oliquino
