HANGZHOU, China – Greatness achieved.
EJ Obiena formalized his coronation as Asia’s pole vault king the way the 19th Asian Games opened – in grand fashion.
Before thousands of cheering fans, Obiena soared like a mighty eagle and cleared the 5.90 meters right on his first try to the win the gold medal — a feat that finally lifted the gloom that befell the entire nation since the official opening of the continental showpiece on Suturday, Sept. 23 at the colossal Hangzhou Olympic Stadium here.
His effort obliterated the old mark of 5.70 which long time rival Japanese Seito Yamamoto established during the 2018 Games in Jakarta where Obiena finished a disappointing seventh.
He did try to beat his Asian record of 6.0m three times by going for 6.02, but failed in three occasions – eliciting oohs and aahs from the excited crowd.
On his third botched attempt, he still managed to raise his clenched fists in triumph that had the PH delegation going wild – as they finally savored the sweet taste of victory.
Obiena cleared the once unbeatable 6.0-meter barrier
