All news tagged EJObiena

THE THRONE IS STILL HIS. THE RECORD IS NO LONGER THE SAME. AND THE PHILIPPINES HAS ANOTHER REASON TO ROAR.

Rain poured over Nagoya. The pressure was sky-high. But EJ Obiena once again rose above the rest.

The Filipino pole vault superstar successfully defended his Asian Games crown, clearing 5.91 meters to establish a new Games record at the rain-soaked Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.

One gold medal. One new record. Another statement from a man who refuses to surrender his place at the top.

Three years after conquering the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games with a record-setting 5.90-meter vault, Obiena returned to the continental stage and did something even champions struggle to do: he made his own greatness look ordinary by doing it all over again.

The old record was his. The new record is his, too.

And just like that, Obiena secured back-to-back Asian Games gold medals, reinforcing his status as one of the Philippines' premier sporting champions.

His victory also delivered the country's third gold medal of the 2026 Games, joining gymnastics superstar Carlos Yulo, who had already struck gold twice.

But behind the historic performance was a champion running on fumes.

“I think it's my 10th win of the season,” Obiena said afterward. “I'm dead, I'm tired man. I'm satisfied.”

Those words may sound simple, but they tell a story that the medal table cannot fully capture.

The world sees the record. The country celebrates the gold. The headlines immortalize the achievement.

But the athlete feels every jump, every training session, every ounce of pressure, and every demand that comes with defending a title.

Because winning once makes you a champion. Coming back three years later and winning again—while breaking your own record—demands something more.

DOMINANCE IS NOT JUST ABOUT CLEARING THE BAR. IT IS ABOUT RETURNING TO THE TOP WHEN THE WORLD EXPECTS YOU TO STAY THERE.

Obiena did not merely defend his crown in Nagoya. He raised the standard, literally and figuratively, and left the Asian Games with another chapter in his growing legacy.

And perhaps the most human part of this triumph is that even after another golden performance, he could admit he was exhausted.

Athletes are people first. Champions get tired, too. Even kings need a moment to breathe after conquering the mountain.

But when the next challenge comes, the bar will rise again—and the Philippines will be watching its champion take aim at it.

EJ OBIENA: BACK-TO-BACK ASIAN GAMES GOLD. A NEW GAMES RECORD. SAME KING. HIGHER BAR.

𝗘𝗝 𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗡. 

It felt like a fresh start.

The two-time Olympian stamped his authority as Asia’s top pole vaulter on Tuesday, clearing 5.91 meters at Paloma Mizuho Stadium to win gold and establish a new Asian Games record.

But the number on the scoreboard wasn't the biggest story.

Obiena says he has found himself again.

After admitting that he struggled to enjoy the sport following the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 30-year-old Filipino said his latest triumph brought back something he had been missing—the excitement, pressure and emotion that made him love competing.

“It’s a bit of a reborn, a little bit of a different me.”

And perhaps that is the most dangerous version of Obiena—not simply the athlete chasing heights, but the athlete who is having fun again.

He acknowledged feeling somewhat empty in the period after Paris, saying he had lost some of the excitement he once felt in training and competition.

Now, that fire is back.

And suddenly, Los Angeles 2028 doesn't look so far away. 🇺🇸🔥

Obiena said he sees no reason not to chase another Olympic appearance—as long as he remains healthy, qualifies and, most importantly, continues enjoying the sport.

That last part might be the biggest development of all.

Because when an athlete stops chasing medals and starts enjoying the climb again, the ceiling can get very high.

For now, Obiena will take a well-earned break in Manila with his family before returning to training in Athens, Greece.

Rest now.

Then jump again.

THE REBORN EJ OBIENA IS READY TO FLY.

Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena added another gold medal to his growing list of achievements after ruling the Stabhochsprung Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany.

Obiena cleared 5.83 meters to capture the championship on Thursday morning (Philippine time), continuing his impressive run in the 2026 season. The world No. 14 athlete attempted to clear 5.93 meters to surpass his season-best mark of 5.85 meters, but failed to complete the height in three attempts.

Despite the challenge, Obiena finished ahead of Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam, who also cleared 5.83 meters but needed three attempts to do so. Turkey’s Ersu Sasma secured the bronze medal after clearing 5.77 meters in two attempts.

In a social media post, Obiena shared his satisfaction with the victory despite facing difficulties during the competition, saying the performance was far from perfect but he was happy to secure the win.

The victory marked Obiena’s fourth gold medal in Germany this 2026 season. He previously topped the International Springer-Meeting in Cottbus, won at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin, and recently claimed gold at the Halberstädter Höhenflug – International Pole Vault Meeting in Halberstadt.

With his continued dominance in international competitions, Obiena remains one of the Philippines’ biggest hopes for global athletics success and continues to inspire Filipino athletes around the world.

Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena received recognition from the Philippine Senate following his latest international victory at the Halberstädter Hohenflug International Pole Vault Competition in Germany.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go filed Senate Resolution No. 552 to commend Obiena for capturing the gold medal in the prestigious competition, highlighting his dedication, perseverance, and continued excellence in international athletics.

Obiena secured the championship after clearing 5.76 meters, once again proving that Filipino athletes can compete and succeed against the world’s best.

The Senate resolution recognized Obiena’s remarkable achievements and the inspiration he provides to Filipino athletes and sports enthusiasts. His consistent performances on the global stage have helped elevate the profile of Philippine athletics and brought pride to the country.

Obiena’s latest victory adds to his growing list of international accomplishments and further cements his status as one of the world’s top pole vaulters.

With every record-breaking leap and podium finish, Obiena continues to inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes to pursue excellence on the global stage.

EJ Obiena returned to competition with a bronze medal at the World Athletics Continental Tour in China, clearing 5.65 meters to finish third. 

Chinese vaulter Tao Zhong and American Cole Walsh both cleared 5.75m, with Zhong taking gold on countback.

The podium finish gives Obiena a timely boost as he heads into a busy September, highlighted by the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13–21. 

Obiena, the Philippine and Asian record holder at 6.00m, will also headline the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati on September 20–21. 

The event boasts a strong international field, including several top-25 vaulters.

Riding the momentum from China, Obiena aims for another landmark performance on the world stage and a memorable homecoming in Manila.

World No. 4 pole vaulter and Olympic qualifier EJ Obiena has announced a historic milestone for Philippine athletics: the country will host its first-ever World Athletics-sanctioned pole vault competition this coming September.

Titled the ‘Atletang Ayala Pole Vault Challenge’, the landmark event will take place on September 20–21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

This international meet signals a major step forward in putting the Philippines on the global map as a capable host of elite track and field competitions.

Obiena shared that the competition will feature top-tier international pole vaulters, many of whom will be fresh from the World Championships—ensuring a high level of performance and excitement for local spectators.

“This is more than a competition—it’s a message to the world that the Philippines is ready to be part of the global athletics stage,” said Obiena.

Beyond showcasing world-class action, the event also aims to inspire young Filipinos to consider careers in athletics—particularly in pole vaulting, a discipline where Obiena has earned international recognition and brought pride to the nation.

The ‘Atletang Ayala Pole Vault Challenge’ forms part of Obiena’s ongoing advocacy to broaden the sport’s reach in the Philippines.

Set against the urban greenery of Makati’s Ayala Triangle Gardens, the competition promises not only thrilling sport but also a celebration of Filipino talent—and a call to action to develop stronger grassroots programs that will support future generations of athletes.

Philippine Pole Vault coach Emerson Obiena made the country proud after winning gold in the Men’s 60+ Pole Vault event at the ongoing World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei City Taiwan.

The 60-year-old veteran cleared 3.60 meters, outperforming competitors from around the world.

A minor leg issue cut short his attempt at 3.75 meters, but it didn’t stop him from securing the top podium finish.

Emerson Obiena, is the father of world no. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and he continues to inspire with his passion and dedication to the sport he loves so much.

“I’m grateful to still be able to do the sport I love,” he said. 

Coach Emerson returned to Manila, and gearing up to guide Hokket delos Santos and to focus on preparing for the Asian Athletics Championships happening next week in Korea.

Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena won his second gold medal in the athletics season of the 2025 Orlen Copernicus Cup held in Torun, Poland.

Obiena cleared the 5.80 meters jump to secure the gold medal in the event.

On his first jump attempt, Obiena quickly cleared the 5.50m mark. He also cleared rhe 5.60m, which took him to 5.70m, although Obiena missed twice on his 5.80 jump until he got the tactic and was able to clear the mark on his third attempt.

Meanwhile, Piotr Lisek of Poland took the silver medal with a 5.70 mark, while Sondre Guttormsen of Norway came in third with the same mark, with Lisek beating Guttormsen via countback.

Last month of January, Obiena previously won the gold medal at the recently concluded Metz Moselle Athletics Championships in France, and had a silver medal at the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus.

The two-time Filipino Olympian also previously failed to defend his title at the ISTAF Indoor in Germany after finishing seventh with a 5.55-meter jump last week.