Marilyn Cahatol

EJ Obiena celebrates after winning the men's pole vault final athletics event during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. POC-PSC Media Pool

Article (news)

ASIAN GAMES

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Filipino Olympic pole vaulter opens the indoor season with a podium finish in Germany.</p><p>Four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist EJ Obiena clinched bronze at the 6th ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf held at the PSD Bank Dome.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02pjxoesepuMQCB4JRAr8s4e8ymzWZm4ox75XmipwDbsX4QvokKroxuqNzX9XHWjE2l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="439" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Obiena successfully cleared 5.65 in his second attempt before committing three fouls at 5.70m to land a podium finish.</p><p>During the 33rd SEA Games in December, Obiena said he is entering the season &quot;healthier&quot; after recovering from a spinal injury that forced him to cut short his 2024 indoor season.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m in a much better space here. You didn&#x27;t see me limping with my back because, finally, I&#x27;m pain-free. So I&#x27;m hoping the rest of the season will look this way. The last time I jumped around 65, 70, I jumped 6 meters in my full approach,&quot; Obiena said last December 16, after he won his fourth SEA Games gold.</p><p>Obiena is hopeful for a better season after a challenging 2025, where he struggled to get back to his previous form after returning from his injury.  </p><p>&quot;Better year, really. Anything better than how this year has been? We have the Asian Games, and we have important competitions. It&#x27;s not getting easier, it&#x27;s getting tougher. We&#x27;ll see how it goes,&quot; he said when asked about what his wish would be his wish for 2026.</p><p>The Filipino pole vaulter is currently ranked No. 11 in the world, after slipping from his highest ranking of No. 2.</p><p>Menno Vloon from the Netherlands took home the gold with 5.75m, while Obiena&#x27;s fellow Olympian Sam Kendricks from the United States registered 5.70m to bag silver.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/18/seag-ej-obiena-leads-way-as-ph-athletics-team-delivers-5-golds-2209">SEAG: EJ Obiena leads way as PH athletics team delivers 5 golds</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKCfZl2z-VM?si=1HWqqDBRKrCFaTnv" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist EJ Obiena clinched bronze at the 6th ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf held at the PSD Bank Dome.</p>

Four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist EJ Obiena clinched bronze at the 6th ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf held at the PSD Bank Dome.

Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena clinches bronze in Germany meet to start indoor season

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena clinches bronze in Germany meet to start indoor season

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 25, 2026 10:54 AM PHT

Read More:

EJ Obiena

Pole vault

6th ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.