Filipino pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena continues to solidify his place among the world’s elite in athletics, further strengthening a legacy that has already made him one of the greatest athletes the Philippines has produced.
At just 30 years old, Obiena owns an extensive international résumé highlighted by multiple podium finishes on the global stage, consistent Diamond League performances, and a career-high ranking as World No. 2 in men’s pole vault. His achievements have not only elevated Philippine athletics but have also established him as one of Asia’s premier competitors in the discipline.
Now, Obiena is entering a pivotal new phase in his career as he relocates his training base to Athens, Greece—a strategic move aimed at refining his preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The decision also places him in closer proximity to top-level competition, including current World No. 2 Emmanuel Karalis, with whom he will share training environments under the guidance of coach Marcin Szczepański.
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For Obiena, the shift represents both a competitive and developmental opportunity as he seeks to push his limits further in pursuit of Olympic glory.
“Training with Emmanuel and his group is definitely a big thing. We have a bunch of different vaulters there, different strengths and weaknesses. I’m not really great at the gym, so I’m not the strongest athlete out there. Having someone that’s actually pretty good and strong pulls me to that direction. Training with someone has always been helpful. That’s how I got to World No. 2,” Obiena said in a media interaction.
The move to Greece followed a brief 10-day training stint in Athens, during which Obiena evaluated his long-term direction before ultimately deciding to establish the country as his new base. The transition also marks the end of a highly successful 12-year coaching partnership with legendary Italian mentor Vitaly Petrov, under whom Obiena developed into a world-class pole vaulter.
NICE FINISH, EJ! 🥈
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena shared some of his snaps after his remarkable second-place finish at the Eurowings Flight Circus in Dusseldorf, Germany.
“Happiness is your current situation minus expectations,” he wrote.
Obiena is then set to compete at the… pic.twitter.com/Doj2pI2tj6
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) June 16, 2026
Petrov played a central role in shaping Obiena’s career, guiding him from a promising prospect into a consistent international medal contender. Under his mentorship, Obiena became the Asian champion, a World Championships medalist, an Olympic finalist, and notably, the first Asian athlete to clear the elite six-meter mark in pole vault history.
Reflecting on their long-standing partnership, Obiena expressed deep gratitude for the impact Petrov had on both his athletic development and personal growth.
“The more days that came, the more positive I felt about the decision I made. Vitaly has been more than just a coach for me. He’s been a mentor. Probably a second father or grandfather you can say. I owe the guy a lot. I really respect him. I love him,” he added.
He further credited Petrov for expanding his ambitions beyond what he initially envisioned when he first began training in Formia, Italy.
“I wouldn’t be here. My vision when I went to Formia the first year was to jump over five meters outdoors. Maybe at the end of my career, jump 5.20m. That was my vision. This guy, not knowing me, had a bigger vision for my career,” Obiena continued.
Now fully focused on the next chapter, Obiena is driven by one remaining goal that continues to motivate his pursuit of excellence on the global stage: an Olympic medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Games—the one major accolade still missing from his decorated career.
“That’s the medal I am missing. That’s the medal I want to get,” he concluded.
Obiena is expected to continue his competitive campaign on the Diamond League circuit, with his next appearance scheduled in Doha, where he will look to maintain form and momentum as he builds toward the next Olympic cycle.
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