Filipino pole vaulter and Olympian Ernest John (EJ) Obiena has continued his strong form this year, winning his eighth tournament in Poland.
Obiena dominated Golden Sand 2026 in Międzyzdroje, Poland. The Filipino Olympian cleared a season-best 5.91 meters to claim the top spot.
He defeated 10 competitors in the event. Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam took silver, while United States’ Cole Walsh secured bronze.
Abdelsalam cleared 5.75 meters for second place. Meanwhile, Walsh reached 5.70 meters to finish third.
The 30-year-old Filipino vaulter is Asia’s first six-meter club member. He now hopes to return to the world’s top 10. Currently, he sits 13th in the world rankings.
A major change of plans
After training in Formia, Italy, the Filipino icon recently moved to Athens, Greece. There, he began training with current world number two Emmanouil Karalis.
His new Polish coach, Marcin Szepanski, now oversees his training.
However, the move followed a major career decision. Obiena ended his 12-year partnership with Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov, who helped develop him into 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 said he had no complaints about Vitaly. Instead, he described the coaching change as a difficult but necessary step. The decision aims to support his continued growth and push him beyond his comfort zone.
Looking forward to Asian Games
Obiena now hopes to carry his momentum into the 2026 Asian Games. The Filipino star is eager to maintain his rhythm after his latest victory.
In an interview with GMA News, he said he looks forward to competing against the continent’s best athletes. He also believes the new training environment is working well.
“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.”
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