By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Pole vault superstar EJ Obiena remained untouchable after retaining his title in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in record-ripping performance Sunday, July 16, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Showing the determination and fire of a world-class athlete, Obiena sailed over the height of 5.91 meters to obliterate the old mark of 5.71 meters that he himself established in ruling the 2019 Doha edition.
Saudi Arabia’s Hussain Asim Alhizam finished a far second in the 12-player field after managing only 5.56m while China’s Huang Bokai bagged the bronze with 5.51m.
So confident was Obiena he skipped six barriers from 4.61m to 5.41m before clearing 5.51m with ease on his first attempt.
During this time, seven athletes were already out of contention.
The Tondo native, who already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, then skipped 5.56m before clearing 5.61 that proved enough to win the gold as Asim Alhizam and Huang faltered.
To add sweetener to his victory, he tried and cleared 5.66m.
Feeling on fire, the reigning SEA Games champion went for 5.80m and was successful again.
His confidence now sky-high, Obiena targeted 5.91. This time, he needed two tries to complete the height.
He aimed to eclipse his national and Asian record of 6.00m by trying 6.02m but failed.
Since winning the 32nd SEAG in Cambodia last May, Obiena hasn’t missed the podium in his next eight events.
In other events, Kristina Knott missed the podium after landing fourth in the women’s 200m with a time of 23.39 seconds.
Singapore’s Shanti Pereira bagged the gold in 22.70sec, while India’s Jyothi Yarrahi (23.13sec) and China’s Li Yuting clinched the bronze (23.25sec).
Sonny Wagdos finished a poor 15th in the men’s 5000m in 15:37.57 – more than two minutes slower behind eventual gold medalist Hyuga Endo of Japan, who clocked 13:34.94.
The men’s 4x400m of Umajesty Williams, Michael Del Prado, Joyme Sequita and Frederick Ramirez also settled for sixth in 3:06.47.
Overall, the PH team won two gold medals – other gold medal was produced by Robyn Brown in the women’s 400m hurdles last Saturday, July 15.
