President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has hailed pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for winning at the Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting in Jockrim, Germany.
“Congratulations to our athlete, EJ Obiena, for winning the gold medal,” Marcos wrote in Filipino in a social media post on Friday.
“EJ’s performance in the pole vault is worthy of emulation by Filipino youths aspiring to be an athlete.”
The national athlete acknowledged the President’s social media post.
“Maraming salamat po, President Bongbong Marcos, for the congratulatory message and recognition. I hope I did the country proud,” he replied.
Obiena on Wednesday beat 10 other competitors, including Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the United States, after clearing 5.81 meters.
It allowed Obiena, an Asian record holder, to reach the qualifying standard for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The 27-year-old Obiena then placed third with a 5.80-m leap at the Athletissima in Laussane, Switzerland on Thursday behind Armand Duplantis of Sweden (6.10m) and Nilsen, who also had a 5.80 but placed second after a countback.
In the latest ranking released by the World Athletics, Obiena is at No. 3 with 1408 points.