It is a special feat in itself breaking a National Junior Record, even more unique when you break your own National Junior Record but also throw in the fact you have two more years left to improve on it. Two weeks ago EJ Obiena achieved all of that at the Weekly Relays. Obiena set the National Junior Record now at4.40m, his mark shattered the 4.31m mark he leapt at the Filipino Chinese Meet in February and hence is a new Junior National Record. This achievement also is very unique has it happened on his 17th Birthday. EJ was born on the 17/11/1995. ,EJ who is a freshman at Ateneo, has the next goal to go after the UAAP Record which is held by training partner Jerome Margallo at 4.30m set 6 years ago.
The 4.40m jump gives EJ confidence going in as the favorite next week.EJ has had an impressive up and down season. Firstly breaking the Junior Record at the Filipino Chinese meet with a leap of 4.31m, and then at an indoor meet in Taipei leaping 4.41m. A severe stress fracture in the Tibia side lined EJ in a cast for most of the year forcing him to miss the Palaro and National Open meets. Coming back from injury EJ was able to edge out Palaro Record Holder Adel Valdecenas (DLSU) winning on count back at 4.20 during the weekly relays.
It was however Adel who would reverse the situation at the Uni Games in Bacolod winning again with 4.20 on countback. EJ claimed the silver here. In Thailand EJ claimed silver in the Junior Pole Vault with a leap of 4.25m.
from: http://pinoyathletics.com/2012/11/26/ej-obiena-birthday-gift-if-the-national-junior-record-in-the-pole-vault/
