Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena ruled the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships held in Tianjin, China, on Saturday evening, Feb. 7.
This was Obiena’s second gold in the 2026 indoor season following a win at the International Jump-Meeting Cottbus in Germany, where he successfully vaulted to the 5.77-meter mark.
“This means way more than just a win for me!” the Filipino athlete said on Instagram. He could not yet explain further as he was already traveling to Germany for another competition.
Obiena last competed at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2016, where he finished fourth.
During the 12th edition of the games, Obiena cleared 5.70 meters on a single attempt to bag his first-ever gold medal in the tournament. He raised the bar to 5.80 meters but was unsuccessful in all three tries.
Chinese bet Li Chenyang followed with a 5.60-meters clearance for the silver, while compatriot Chen Yang copped bronze with 5.40 meters.
Thailand’s Amsamarng Patsapong and Japan’s Ejima Masaki finished fourth and fifth, respectively, after clearing the opening bar of 5.20 meters.
Obiena, currently world no. 11, has cleared 6 meters twice in 2023, setting the Asian standard.
He will compete at the INIT Indoor Meeting Karlsruhen in Germany early Monday morning, Feb. 9 (Philippine time), facing fellow Paris Olympics finalists Menno Vloon and Sondre Guttormsen.
