EJ Obiena closed out a challenging season with his fourth consecutive Southeast Asian Games gold, dominating the men’s pole vault at the 33rd edition of the biennial meet on Tuesday at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 30-year-old star secured victory in thrilling fashion, setting a new Games record of 5.70 meters on his first attempt, despite a strong challenge from hometown favorite Patasapong Amsam-ang.
“Too close for comfort,” said Obiena. “I knew that going in, it’s early in the season. I thought I would win with 5.65, 5.60. I have like four bleeding blisters going on. It is what it is. I had a jump to do.”
Cheered on by the home crowd, Amsam-ang matched Obiena’s clearance of 5.70 meters, achieving a personal best and national record, and tying the new Games record.
(C) POC Media
The Thai, however, required three attempts to clear the height, leaving Obiena’s first-attempt clearance as the decisive factor for gold.
The pressure intensified as both vaulters attempted 5.75 meters — a height Obiena had struggled with this season and one that was uncharted territory for Amsam-ang. Both missed all three attempts, cementing Obiena’s 5.70-meter mark as the winning jump and keeping the gold in the Philippines, extending Thailand’s wait for victory in the event by another two years.
“I was hoping that he would not push me today, but that’s competition. I had my fair share of competing at home. I know how that feels,” said Obiena, who first claimed SEA Games gold in 2019 at home in New Clark City.
After taking silver at the 2015 Singapore edition, the University of Santo Tomas product steadily rose through the ranks, reaching No. 2 in the world in 2023, just behind the unstoppable Mondo Duplantis.
Fil-Am Elijah Cole rounded out the podium with a best jump of 5.20 meters, giving the Philippines a double podium finish in the event.
