Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is back on top. The Filipino pole vault star claimed his third straight Asian Athletics Championships gold medal after a thrilling jump-off against China’s Huang Bokai in the 2025 edition held in Gumi, South Korea.
Obiena cleared 5.77 meters on May 31 to secure the Philippines’ victory. Huang failed to clear the same height and settled for silver. Thailand’s Patsapong Amsamarng took bronze with 5.67 meters.
The Asian record holder showed championship form as he cleared 5.52m and 5.72m in one attempt. He skipped 5.77m but returned to it in the tiebreak against Huang. Both had earlier failed to clear 5.82m, setting the stage for the decisive jump-off.
Obiena’s win completes a rare three-peat, adding to his 2023 gold in Bangkok and 2019 gold in Doha.
This gold also marks a strong comeback for Obiena, who ended his 2024 season early due to a spine injury after narrowly missing a medal at the Paris Olympics.
The two-time Olympian returned to competition in January 2025 with a silver at Germany’s International Jump Meeting Cottbus (5.65m).
In early February, Obiena captured the gold at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor in France (5.70m).
Days later, in mid-February, the Filipino pole vaulter won the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland (5.80m).
The Manila-native secured another gold amid foggy conditions at the Taiwan International Pole Vault Championships (5.50m) in late March.
In early March, the World No. 4-ranked Obiena reflected on his journey and shared this message with supporters:
“You must be strong… fast… have gymnastics skills… mental strength… and finally, you need time and repetitions to adapt and adjust to the perfect combination. How to ‘Put it all together.’”
Obiena now sets his sights on a busy European tour, with scheduled competitions in Munich, Rome, Hengelo in the Netherlands, Oslo for the Diamond League, and Stockholm.
The Filipino pole vault star also holds two World Championship medals — a bronze from Oregon and a silver from Budapest. Obiena holds the distinction of becoming the first Asian to clear 6.0 meters, setting the standing Asian record.
Men’s Pole Vault Results – 2025 Asian Athletics Championships:
WATCH EJ Obiena’s gold-winning vault at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025:
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