Filipino Ernest John “EJ” Obiena (center) poses with the other podium finishers in men’s pole vault at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea on May 31, 2025. Obiena won the event for the third time. (Photo from EJ Obiena Instagram)
Filipino pole vault sensation Ernest John “EJ” Obiena soared to his third gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships held over the weekend in Gumi, South Korea.
In a thrilling finale, Obiena cleared 5.77 meters in a jump-off to secure the top podium spot. He edged out China’s Bokai Huang, a world and Olympic finalist, who settled for silver with a season-best 5.72 meters. Thailand’s Patsapong Amsamarng claimed bronze after a personal-best performance of 5.67 meters.
Fellow Filipino vaulter Hokkett Delos Santos finished 13th out of 15 competitors, clearing 4.97 meters.
Obiena, a two-time Olympian and the current Asian record-holder, first claimed the continental title in Dubai in 2019 and followed it up with a dominant showing in Bangkok in 2023, where he set the Asian record at 5.91 meters.
This recent gold adds to his growing collection of victories this year. Just last May 7, Obiena ruled the Pole Vault Challenge at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite, clearing 5.80 meters. He topped the event ahead of Chinese Taipei’s Yan-Han Wu and Delos Santos, who both posted 5.15 meters.
Obiena continues to raise the bar for Philippine athletics—literally and figuratively—as he builds momentum toward even greater heights on the global stage.