From Tondo to the world: EJ Obiena hopes he inspires others to be among world's best

With the success EJ Obiena is reaping now, the Filipino Olympian and pole vaulter hopes he can inspire people to be among the world's best.

Obiena said this is one of his goals as he continues to break records and claim medals in his tournaments.

"The short-term goal is to hopefully inspire people who dream to be one of the best in the world, if not at least one of the best in Asia, to be able to compete and put the flag of the Philippines somewhere out there," Obiena said in a press conference on Tuesday.

The 26-year old vaulter said with his recent achievement in the World Athletics Championship, he hopes to be a good example for those who also dream of representing the Philippines in the world stage.

"I hope I kind of embody that. A kid from a small town in Tondo, where it’s probably one of the odd places you’re going to find -- now I would be proudly saying -- a world medalist."

However, his long term goal is actually to bring pole vault to every part of the country.

"I hope I can bring pole vaulting to every corner of the Philippines. You’ll never know who are the talents we’re going to find," Obiena said, citing 31st Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Hocket delos Santos as an example.

"Who would've thought that the next guy in line would come from Ilagan, Isabela where they didn't have access to facilities? Then just luckily, there are people in Ilagan making sure that these athletes get access to these equipment and be able to do it and a few years forward, you have a silver medalist. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that."

Obiena won the Philippines' first medal from the World Athletics Championships on Monday as he bagged the bronze after clearing 5.94 meters.

—JMB, GMA News