June 2, 2025
MANILA – EJ Obiena erased any bit of doubt on Saturday that he’s still the best pole vaulter in Asia.
Obiena defended his Asian Athletics Championships title in Gumi, South Korea for his third consecutive gold medal in the continental tilt.
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The two-time Olympian won his first in Dubai in 2019 before repeating in 2023 in Bangkok where he set the Asian championship record at 5.91m.
“Three-peat Asian champion!” wrote Obiena in his most recent Instagram post, showing off the newest addition to his stacked hardware cabinet.
Obiena cleared 5.77 meters on his first attempt to secure the gold, edging China’s Huang Bokai in the jump-off.
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Bokai took home the silver while Thailand’s Patsapong Amsamarng completed the podium.
The world No. 4 Obiena wasn’t the only Filipino competitor in the continental meet as Hokkett Delos Santos finished 13th in the 15-man field.