EJ Obiena ‘deserves highest praise’ after World Athletics Championships win – Lapid

FILE PHOTO: EJ Obiena prepares to make his attempt in the finals of the pole vault competition at the Tokyo Olympics. INQUIRER/FRANCIS T. J. OCHOA

MANILA, Philippines — Pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena “deserves the highest praise” and commendation for bringing honor to the country, Senator Lito Lapid said following the athlete’s bronze medal win in the World Athletics Championships.

Lapid filed Senate Resolution No. 63, dated July 26, congratulating and commending Obiena for winning bronze in the 2022 World Athletics Championships pole vault men’s division held in the United States.

“Ernest John Obiena deserves the highest praise and commendation for bringing honor and recognition to the country and for serving as an inspiration to future generations of Filipino athletes,” Lapid said in the resolution.

Lapid pointed out that Obiena is the only Filipino and Asian to advance to the finals of the pole event at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, adding that the athlete is also the first Filipino to win a medal in the said competition.

READ: EJ Obiena makes history with bronze medal at World Athletics Championships

In a separate statement, Lapid said Obiena’s win is proof of the excellence of Filipino athletes.

“Kaya’t higit na nararapat na sila ay bigyang parangal ng ating Senado, isang maliit na bagay kapalit ng dangal na inuuwi ng ating mga atleta sa ating bansa,” the senator said.

(So it is more than appropriate that our Senate honor them, a small thing in exchange for the honor our athletes bring home to our country.)

To recall, Obiena also broke the Asian record of 5.93 meters during the 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria, in September 2021.

Lapid then thanked Filipino athletes, who are continuously competing for the country.

“Nawa’y patuloy kayong magsilbing inspirasyon sa marami pa nating mga kababayan na naghahangad na lumawak pa ang pagkakakilala ng atletang Pilipino sa iba’t ibang larangan ng sports sa buong mundo,” he said.

(May you all continue to serve as an inspiration for more of our countrymen who aspire to expand the recognition of Filipino athletes in various fields of sports worldwide.) – Christine Annie Asistio, INQUIRER.net intern

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