Take notice. He is no Spiderman.
But one day he could – expectedly – be another Olympic gold medalist.
He vaults into the air like the American Marvel hero – except that instead of using webs to propel him up – Ej thrusts and twists himself up with a pole to hurdle the bar.
Except that he is not endowed with superpowers that transform ordinary mortals into superheroes.
EJ (Ernest John) is, much like new US Open girls singles champion Alex Eala, currently garnering honor after honor in pole vaulting abroad.
In September 2021, he reset his Asian record of 5.91 meters to 5.93 at the International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck Austria, finishing first in the tournament.
Marvelously, he has harvested six golds in four weeks of tough competition among the best in the planet. Can you beat this?
To me, this is an extra-human feat especially in an event where its popularity among sports fans is notches lower than football, golf, baseball, basketball, boxing, etc.
EJ is the country’s pride in a somewhat rarely noticed field event, a specialty his father – Emerson – also took up as a national team member when the young Obiena was still a toddler.
Like Eala, his victories overseas give Pinoys a great source of pride, too.
He continues to reap honors for the Philippines in foreign competitions among the world’s best in Europe.
He has upset even the Olympic and current world champion Armand Duplantis in the Brussels Diamond League who has been – for the record – undefeated for as far back as we remember.
Some three days ago, the 6’2” Pinoy pride topped the Gala del Castelli contest in Bellinzona, Switzerland with a 5.81-meter vault, besting world number two Chris Nilsen of the US.
EJ is currently the world’s number three, capturing the coveted bronze medal in the prestigious World Athletics championships in Eugene, Oregon some months back.
He is the Asian and SEA Games titleholder.
Even as we sing hosannas, it becomes incumbent upon the sports officials to ensure that national athletes like EJ be treated with special care and attention.
They are a rarity.
Hidylyn Diaz was a blessing because she steadfastly pursued her Olympic dream, finally bringing home the first elusive Olympic gold one hundred years after our first Olympic participation.
EJ is already proving that he can be the world’s best.
Nothing intimidates him. No one does.
I think it is EJ who intimidates his peers in the sport.
Alongside world gymnastics kingpin Carlos Yulo, Eala, Diaz and a host of potential talents in boxing, golf and elsewhere, a fruitful harvest in the 2024 Paris Olympics is highly anticipated.
With the pandemic over, the national grassroots sports development program should ideally get re-started and generate a sports renaissance.
The new leadership at the PSC is hitting the ground running.
Amazing EJ could be the symbol of that grassroots renaissance. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
