By Paulo Diesta

Another gold medal found itself in the hands of Filipino pole vaulter and currently world rank 2 Ernest John “EJ” Obiena as he eclipsed the 26-year-old Asian Indoor record with a monumental 5.93 meters (m) in International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) Berlin last February 23 (February 24, Manila time). 

Capping off a stellar gold performance by clearing a 5.83m in the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia back in February 20, Obiena sought to break through new records in the Berlin meet, doing so in spectacular fashion.

It was a battle for the top spot between USA’s Trey Oates and Philippines’ EJ Obiena. In an impressive display of athleticism and discipline, Obiena cruised towards a 5.82m height with only one attempt. 

Determined to surpass it, Oates went for the same record but encountered difficulties as he hit a snag. Maintaining his composure, he dared to clear a 5.88m jump, but failed to attain it in his last two tries.

Despite already having a gold in his collection, Obiena reminded everyone of his dominance in the field as he shattered the nearly three-decade-old Asian Indoor record previously held by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan of 5.92m by recording a 5.93m clear. 

In the end, EJ Obiena’s 5.93m masterpiece won gold in a landslide victory against silver medalist Trey Oates’s 5.75m and bronze medalist Robert Sobera of Poland’s 5.66m. 

Not only did he break a 26-year-old previously standing Asian indoor record of 5.92m, but also his previously attained 5.91m pole vault. 

Winning gold after gold, EJ Obiena earned his spot in the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland where he will face his toughest competition against Swedish pole vaulter and World Champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis on March 1-3. 

Upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics

With the 2024 Paris Olympics fast approaching, EJ Obiena sets for greatness as he begins his preparations for this major event. The year 2023 sparked several achievements for the impressive Obiena, as he clinched several records and medals to gain him a spot for the olympics.

It was a record-breaking moment during the Asian Athletics Championships held August of last year, where Obiena set a previous record of 5.91m in order to obtain the gold medal.

Carrying the pride of the country, Obiena clinched the elusive 6-m mark to secure a silver finish behind the world record holder Duplantis. 

“I’m trying to be stronger, faster, jump a little bit higher than last year,” said Obiena as he won the Athlete of the Year Award, handed by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. 

With the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Paris Olympics around the corner, it’s going to take a big jump from EJ Obiena in order to bring home glory.

Thumbnail from Rappler