By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
EJ Obiena defied foggy conditions by capturing the gold medal in the Taiwan International Pole Vault Competition on Monday, March 31, at the Sun Moon Lake in Nantou City, Chinese Taipei.
Competing under zero visibility conditions at the venue with an elevation of 2,454 feet above sea level, the world-class pole vaulter cleared the bar at 5.50 meters on his third attempt to rule the 25-player field that also has fellow Filipino bet Hokket delos Santos.
American Matt Ludwig settled for silver with 5.30m, while delos Santos came in 10th with a personal-best 5.15m.
Obiena admitted it was his first time competing in such tough conditions.
“During several of the many flights I have taken to compete in pole vault around the world, I have indeed encountered fog warnings at the airport where you can see very little,” Obiena wrote on a social media post.
“Well, I had a new experience (today). I had my first fog warning in the midst of a pole vault competition, in Taiwan. With roughly 10 meters visibility, you just disappear,” he added.
Obiena said he decided to still go for it and claimed the victory on his third attempt, saying it as a proverbial “leap of faith.”
“I am thankful to have won the competition under such ‘murky’ conditions! We can’t always have sunny skies and perfect weather conditions. We have to persevere through all kinds of adversity. This was a new kind of adversity and I learned from it!” Obiena said.
