Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena once again made history after winning his third consecutive gold medal in the men’s pole vault at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships held in Gumi, South Korea on May 31.
Obiena successfully defended his title by clearing 5.77 meters on his first attempt in a jump-off against China’s Bokai Huang, who failed to clear the height and settled for silver with a top mark of 5.72 meters.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Patsapong Amsam-Ang claimed the bronze with a clearance of 5.67 meters.
This victory marks Obiena’s third straight gold as he first claimed the title in Doha, Qatar in 2019 and in Bangkok, Thailand in 2023.
Obiena made history as the first Asian athlete to clear the coveted 6.00-meter mark in pole vaulting.
He reaffirmed his elite status by finishing fourth, just inches away from claiming a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Another Filipino competitor, Hokett Delos Santos, finished 13th with a clearance of 4.97 meters.
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