EJ Obiena to put gold medal-winning SEAG shoes up for auction to benefit aspiring pole vaulters

PHNOM PENH — EJ Obiena wants to make sure he isn't the last pole vaulter from the Philippines to make a name in the international stage.

The 27-year-old world no. 3 pole vault ace on Monday shared he is auctioning the shoes he used when he clinched his third straight gold medal in the 32nd SEA Games here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

According to Obiena, the proceeds will be used to buy a pole vault pit for several kids in a province in the Philippines. A pit is a mat used in the sport as a landing spot for athletes after completing a jump.

"I'm auctioning these spikes. It's gonna be auctioned to raise some funds for kids and hopefully, raise enough funds to buy some pit for a province in the Philippines," Obiena told reporters amidst the bad weather at the Morodok Techo Stadium.

"This is a special one, there's a Philippine flag there so everyone who's listening, it's up for grabs. All proceeds will go to buy a new pole vault pit or second-hand pole vault pit."

Obiena braved the heavy rains and strong winds to rule this year's edition, even setting a new SEAG record of 5.65, which he cleared after just one attempt.

And he hopes to see more pole vaulters compete in different competitions someday.

"We need more pole vaulters in the Philippines and I wanna do that," he said.

Aside from him, another Filipino in Elijah Cole saw action in Cambodia but the young vaulter bowed out early after three failed attempts at 4.90m.

Elijah Cole bows out of contention after three failed attempts at the 4.90m height @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/81R0qadGzO

— Bea Micaller (@beamicallerrr) May 8, 2023

—JMB, GMA Integrated News