MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution commending Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena for winning two gold medals and one bronze medal in three world events in the past few weeks.
During the plenary session, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) 765, congratulating Obiena for winning two gold medals in the Perche En Or competition in Roubaix, France and the Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland, and a bronze medal in the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden.
The resolution was presented by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingog Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
“What EJ Obiena has achieved has once again brought glory to the Philippines on the world stage. His achievements deserve our highest honor and recognition,” Romualdez said.
On 29 January, Obiena won her first gold medal of the year by winning the Perche en Or indoor tournament in France after clearing a season’s best 5.82 meters in her first attempt to dominate the 12-player field.
China’s Yao Jie placed second and France’s Ethan Cormont took third.
On 3 February, Obiena won the bronze medal by clearing another season’s best of 5.91 meters, matching his Philippine indoor record, just behind world record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden who won the gold and KC Lightfoot of the United States who placed second.
On February 5, Obiena again took a gold medal in the Orlen Cup after throwing a beam of 5.77 meters. He beat former world champion Sam Kendricks of the USA, Piotr Lisek of Poland and Claudio Michel Stecchi of Italy.
The resolution noted Obiena’s outstanding achievements as an athlete and mentioned his medals in pole vaulting events, such as the Asian Athletics Championships during the 23rd Biennial Meeting in Doha, Qatar; the 22nd World Athletics Championships held in Oregon, USA on 24 July 2022; and his gold medal in the 26th Internationales Stabhocsprung-Meet in Jockgrim, Germany on August 23, 2022, among others.
“A meritorious athlete, EJ Obiena has the distinction of being the first Filipino to be awarded a scholarship by the International Association of Athletics Federations,” the resolution read.
“By dominating the international competitions in pole vaulting, Ernest John ‘EJ’ Uy Obiena deserves the utmost accolades and praise for continuously bringing honor and glory to the Philippines and selflessly inspiring Filipino athletes to work hard and aim high – to be the best in their chosen sports area.” (PNA)
Source: sn.dk
