EJ Obiena is starting the year on a strong note. The Filipino pole vaulter claimed gold at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, China, after clearing 5.70 meters at the Tuanbo Sports Center on February 7, 2026. It marks his first-ever gold at the indoor edition of the continental meet.
Photo: EJ Obiena
China’s Li Chenyang took silver with a 5.60-meter jump, while Chen Yang rounded out the podium at 5.40 meters. Obiena attempted to go higher but was unable to clear 5.80 meters in three tries.
On Instagram, Obiena shared a photo with his fellow competitors and wrote, “Your boy is finally an Asian Indoor Champ,” adding that the win “means way more than just a win” and that he would explain more in the future.
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This latest victory follows another gold he won at the International Springer-Meeting in Germany on January 29, 2026. The award makes it his second gold medal of the year. He is set to compete next at the INIT Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe, also in Germany.
As of February 13, 2026, Obiena is ranked world number 12 in men’s pole vault by World Athletics. He also holds the Asian record of 6.00 meters, set at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, where he won silver. The pole vaulter remains the two-time defending champion and record holder in the Asian Athletics Championships, as well as the three-time defending champion and record holder in the SEA Games.
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