Two new sets of poles are on their way to the Philippines’ top pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.
The new gear will reach Obiena’s hands within the week, after Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano and one of his supporters, Ed Lasquete, acquired new equipment for him.
Bo Navarro, whose group FilAm Sports is helping around from the behind scenes, said the move provide Obiena new equipment came after he broke two poles while competing and preparing for two tournaments last week.
Obiena broke his second pole during practice, forcing him to borrow poles from his rivals to save his campaign Friday at the Diamond League – Oslo Bislett Games in Norway, where he settled for the bronze.
Days before the Bislett tournament, Obiena broke his pole during competition and landed seventh place at the 2024 Ostrava Golden Spike – World Athletics Continental Tour Gold in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The new poles are supposed to complement Obiena’s current set and will cost at least $35,000.
With Obiena expected to have three sets of poles in his arsenal, he will be fully equipped for his coming preparations for the Paris Olympics.
Lasquete, a former Olympian who saw action for the Philippines many years ago and who has been helping Obiena since he came to the United States for the Los Angeles Grand Prix, is helping around with Fil-American pole vaulter Alyanna Nicolas.
The second set of poles are headed for Rome from San Jose, California, with Lasquete making sure that Obiena gets them in one piece.
A third set of poles will be transported via cargo ship.
“As a case in point, EJ’s poles, after a training camp in Chula Vista, were intended to be transported to Italy, but were initially not permitted on the flight. This led to a complex rerouting process, with the poles being sent to Reno, Nevada, and then shipped to Ed Lasquete in San Jose, CA. After three unsuccessful attempts to check them in, they were finally accepted,” said Navarro.
Nicolas has flown to Italy with the poles, to oversee their transport from the airport to the track, with the assistance of PATAFA Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco, providing instructions from Manila.
The poles will soon arrive in Formia, Italy, where Obiena is currently based.
