Two-time Olympian Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena proved that he is still Asia’s only pole vault king on a rainy Tuesday night at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games men’s athletics pole vault competition at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Japan.
He not only bagged and kept the gold medal, but he also marked a new Asian Games record.
After missing twice at 5.80 meters with the gold already in his hand, the three-time Asian champion decided to jump and break his old Hangzhou 19th Asian Games record in China three years ago by one centimeter -and he did by clearing 5.91 meters at ease to win the gold.
He stood tall, raised both hands, shouting in jubilation, thanking and shaking everyone’s hands.
Obiena’s closest pursuer was China’s Jie Yao, who missed all his attempts from 5.75 meters and 5.80 meters. He then settled for the silver medal with 5.70 meters, while his compatriot Li Chenyang got the bronze with the same 5.70 meters but needed two attempts.
The four-time Southeast Asian Games champion and the first Asian to clear 6.0 meters did not miss any height from 5.50m, skipped 5.60m for 5.70m before clearing 5.75 meters.
He blinked twice at 5.80m, but his Chinese rivals had already used all three attempts and could not pass the 5.75 meters height, assuring him of a win and the gold medal. Despite the favorable situation, Obiena did not just sit and walk away with the title.
Obiena erased the old record and established a new one for the delight of the crowd.
The Philippine Track and Field Association headed by Terry Capistrano has now one gold and two bronzes courtesy of Victoria Bossong in women’s 800 meters and John Cabang Tolentino in men’s hurdles 110-m at the Asian Games.