All news tagged Philippinepolevault

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.

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.