By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino pole vaulting sensation EJ Obiena achieved another historic feat after resetting the Asian indoor record at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin tournament on February 24, 2024, in Germany.
Obiena capped off his gold medal finish with a record-breaking 5.93-meter height completion during the nine-man world competition.
The 28-year-old superstar surpassed the previous Asian indoor record of 5.92 meters set by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan way back in 1998.
Aside from breaking Potapovich’s record, Obiena also reset his personal indoor best score of 5.91 meters which he did during the Perch Elite Tour in Rouen, France, two years ago.
The 2023 Asian Games gold medalist began his winning streak by clearing 5.56 meters on his first attempt before skipping the 5.66 meters and the 5.75 meters to gun for the winning mark of 5.82 meters.
Obiena soared past the 5.82 meters for the gold medal but decided to go for the record. After completing his routine, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin then cheered his name and congratulated him for the achievement.
Joining Obiena on the podium were Olen Tray Oates of USA, who earned silver with a vault of 5.75 meters, and Poland’s Robert Sobera, who took bronze with 5.66 meters.
With minimal rest, Obiena is set to compete in his third international event of the year in Glasgow, Scotland.
