Obiena returns home after 3 years - The Manila Times

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

AFTER three years of campaigning abroad, pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena has returned to the Philippines on Thursday, September 15.

Obiena, who won six gold medals in eight outdoor tournaments in Europe, made a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Noli Eala on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

BACK IN THE PHILIPPINES Taking a break for the first time in three years, Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena returned to the Philippines on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. The third ranked pole vaulter said he plans to go to an island somewhere in the country to relax and have quality time with his family and loved ones. PSC PHOTO

"It is our honor at the Philippine Sports Commission to welcome our returning sports hero EJ Obiena once again to the Philippines after a three-year absence. We're very happy to have him here and to give him a little recognition and of course what he deserves and acknowledgement by grateful people," said Eala.

"EJ has sacrificed many years being away from the Philippines to bring honor to the country, and I think it is time for him to take a little break and enjoy the work, the labor he has done, and we certainly wish him all the best."

Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox

Sign up for The Manila Times’ daily newsletters

By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Obiena, the third ranked pole vaulter in the world, said that it warms his heart to return in the country, especially at Rizal, where he started training as a pole vaulter.

"It's really good to be home. This is where I started, I grew up here, there used to be a canteen on the side where I ate lunch. It's really heartwarming and it brings back memories," shared the 26-year-old Obiena, who came home with his German girlfriend and triple jumper Caroline Joyeaux.

"I'm planning to go somewhere in some islands in the Philippines to really just connect. It's been three years that I haven't had an off season. This is my time to spend with my family and really have a break."

Obiena had a successful outdoor season, where he made the podium eight times including six gold medal finishes capped by his conquest of Gala dei Castelli in Bellinzona, Switzerland on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Obiena also ruled the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium, where he staged an upset win over reigning Olympic champion and world record holder in Swedish Armand "Mondo" Duplantis.

"I'm still human. My psychologist always says that I perform my best when I'm the best EJ Obiena as a person as well. I need to balance my buckets and I need to be able to be hungry to train when I get back so that's why I'm doing all of these," he said.

Adblock test (Why?)

Obiena returns home after 3 years - The Manila Times
Read More