Filipino pole vaulter and Olympian Ernest John (EJ) Obiena has continued his sky-high form this year, winning his eighth tournament in Poland.
Dominating the Golden Sand 2026 in Międzyzdroje, Poland, the Filipino Olympian vaulted a season’s best of 5.91 meters to claim top spot on the podium.
Obiena bested 10 competitors, with Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam winning silver, and United States’ Cole Walsh winning bronze.
Abdelsalam’s best clearance in the podium was 5.75 meters, while Walsh cleared 5.70 meters.
The 30-year-old Filipino vaulter – who is Asia’s first six-meter club member – is in hopes of re-entering the world’s top 10. He is currently in the 13th spot of the world rankings.
A major change of plans
From training in Formia, Italy, the Filipino icon recently moved to Athens, Greece and started training with current world number two Emmanouil Karalis.
He is currently under the supervision of his new Polish coach Marcin Szcepanski.
It was a major decision for the Olympian to close a 12-year partnership with Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov, the person who watched him grow and built his way up to become a world-renowned vaulter.
“It’s really hard. That decision was not made just because. We still talk and I call Vitaly from time to time. I love the guy, I really do.”
“He built me. He made my career. He has done so much for me and that it really is a difficult decision,” Obiena told the Manila Times.
Obiena noted that he had no complaints with Vitaly, clarifying that the change of plans was a tough decision he needed in order to further his growth and go beyond what was comfortable.
READ MORE: Philippines, Malaysia set to boost bilateral trade as Kuala Lumpur backs Mindanao peace process
Looking forward to Asian Games
The momentum is very clear for the pole vaulter, and he sees himself keeping the rhythm for the upcoming Asian Games 2026.
In an interview with GMA News, he said that he is looking forward to competing with the best players of the continent, adding that he sees the change of the training environment to be working.
“I’m in a way looking forward to it. There’s nothing fun when success is guaranteed, and I think that’s the beauty of every competition,” he said.
“There’s always a probability that you will lose. It gives you that extra push, extra energy, extra concentration to give your all.”
READ NEXT: Italy’s Leonardo offers customised 32 Eurofighter jets to Philippines
Ian Trinidad 
Gabrielle Wilkinson 
Adam Peaker