Photo credit: Olympics

EJ Obiena once again proved why he’s at the pinnacle of his sport, capturing his fourth Southeast Asian Games gold in Men’s Pole Vault at the 33rd SEA Games. His victory not only reinforced his status as one of the Philippines’ top track and field athletes but also helped the country dominate the podium, with teammate Elijah Cole securing the bronze.

Obiena didn’t just win—he broke his own SEA Games record, soaring over 5.70 meters and surpassing the 5.65-meter mark he set in 2023. This edition, however, presented a stiffer challenge from Thailand’s Patsapong Amsam-ang. Patsapong cleared the 5.70-meter bar on his final attempt, pushing Obiena to dig deep. Both athletes then failed to clear 5.75 meters, leaving Obiena to claim gold on a countback, having cleared 5.70 meters on his first try.

With this triumph, EJ continues to cement his legacy as a force to be reckoned with in regional athletics.