pinoyathletics.com

It is a special feat in itself breaking a National Junior Record, even more unique when you break your own National Junior Record but also throw in the fact you have two more years left to improve on it.  Two weeks ago EJ Obiena achieved all of that at the Weekly Relays.

Obiena set the National Junior Record now at 4.40m, his mark shattered the 4.31m mark he leapt at the Filipino Chinese Meet in February and hence is a new Junior National Record. This achievement also is very unique has it happened on his 17th Birthday. EJ was born on the 17/11/1995.

,EJ  who is a freshman at Ateneo, has the next goal to go after the UAAP Record which is held by training partner Jerome Margallo at 4.30m set 6 years ago. The 4.40m jump gives EJ confidence going in as the favorite next week.

EJ Obiena (Left) warms up with his Ateneo fellow Vaulters at Uni Games in Bacolod

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2012

EJ has had an impressive up and down season. Firstly breaking the Junior Record at the Filipino Chinese meet with a leap of 4.31m, and then at an indoor meet in Taipei leaping 4.41m. A severe stress fracture in the Tibia side lined EJ in a cast for most of the year forcing him to miss the Palaro and National Open meets. Coming back from injury EJ was able to edge out Palaro Record Holder Adel Valdecenas (DLSU) winning on count back at 4.20 during the weekly relays.  It was however Adel who would reverse the situation at the Uni Games in Bacolod winning again with 4.20 on countback. EJ claimed the silver here.
In Thailand EJ claimed silver in the Junior Pole Vault with a leap of 4.25m.

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Progress of EJ Obiena

2010 Palarong Pambansa Silver

2011 4.05m Singapore Schools

2012

4.31m Filipino Chinese Meet (NJR)

4.41m Taipei Indoor (NJR Indoor)

4.20m Silver University Games Bacolod

4.25m Silver Thailand Open Juniors

4.40m Weekly Relays (NJR)

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A Vaulting Family and legacy Event

EJ is the son of national coach, national champ and masters record holder Emerson Obiena, the 48 year old is still an active jumper and this was actually the first season he has been finishing behind  EJ. Also Uncle Edward Obiena is the NCAA Record Holder in Pole Vault with a life time best of 4.55m and was a bronze medalist in the Decathlon in the SEA Games. Ironically Edwards best ever Vault was at his final appearance at the SEA Games where he actually surpassed the bronze medalist in the individual pole vault. Also EJ  younger sister Emily is showing signs of becoming a great pole vaulter when she leapt 2.80m.

It has been a splendid year for Philippine Pole Vault which continues to outshine other events. With PPVC, Mike Pelaez Athletics, and Fil-Heritage athletes producing some very strong depth in the event. Already Caleb Monticalvo and Julio Alorro have surpassed the SEA Games 4.70m bronze medal performance in 2011, with Caleb likely to eclipse the National Mens Record of Lasquette. Caleb and Julio ranked 2nd and 3rd in South East Asia this year.

The strong depth in Mens Pole Vault has seen no fewer than 9 Male Vaulters over 4.00m this year.

In the Womens Riezel Buenaventura has also made the Bronze standard tying the 3.90m at a meet in Taipei. That makes 3 of the 12 athletes who made sea games standards in 2012 Vaulters.

In the Junior Womens category Fil-Heritage Alyana Nicholas (3.20) and Natasha Nalus  (3.00) two 18 year olds have surpassed and currently hold the junior  records. Now that Alyana has secured Filipino dual citizenship it entitles her to records.
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Safety Reminders for Our Pole Vaulters

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