Obiena favored, but may need hard work to reset record
EJ Obiena has been running the show in men’s pole vault in the continent for quite some time and intends to keep it that way in the forthcoming Asian Athletics Championships.
“I am the defending champion, so I really must work hard,” said Obiena of his bid for a golden treble in the continental championship scheduled May 27 to 31 in Gumi, South Korea.
The world’s fourth-ranked vaulter owns the Asian championships record of 5.91 meters he established in the 2023 Bangkok edition in seizing the title twice in a row.
While vying for a third straight gold medal seems compelling, Obiena will have his work cut out for him in resetting that record.
The silver medalist in the 2023 world championships has yet to clear that elevation in his competitions this season, jumping a height of 5.80m at best.
“Yes, there’s pressure, and it won’t be easy. But so far, I’m doing good. It’s a work in progress,” said Obiena, who was a favorite to reach the podium of the Paris Olympics last year only to miss out on a medal.
The Italy-based Obiena soared to victory almost unchallenged at the recent Patafa Philippine Pole Vault Open Championships at Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, the first time he cleared 5.80m since Paris.
Not even the intermittent rain could stop Obiena from hurdling the height, with Taipei’s Wu Yan Han securing the silver via countback versus national team mainstay Hokett de los Santos at 5.15m.
Huang Cheng-Chi, also from Taipei, went over the bar at 5.15m for fourth, ahead of Malaysia’s Muhammad Naufal Bin Shahrul at fifth (4.95m) and Filipino American Elijah Cole at sixth, similar to Shahru’s output.
“Happy to jump a season-best anew. It was indeed a valuable experience as I prepared for the Asian championships,” said Obiena.
The Asian Games gold medalist and multiple Southeast Asian Games champion should anticipate a formidable challenge coming from China’s Huang Bokai (No. 15 in the world), Li Chenyang (No. 25) and Yao Jie (No. 40).
Qatar’s Heneida Abdesalam Seifeldin is likewise a threat along with Japan’s Karasawa Tomoya.
Obiena placed seventh (5.62) and fifth (5.72) in his two Wanda Diamond League tournaments in Xiamen and Shanghai recently.
