FILIPINO pole vault sensation EJ Obiena once again proved his dominance in Asia as he captured his third straight gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championships on Saturday, May 31, in Gumi, South Korea.

In a dramatic showdown, Obiena secured the top podium spot after a thrilling jump-off against China’s Huang Bokai. Both athletes cleared 5.72 meters and faltered at 5.82 meters, forcing a tie-breaker.

Rising to the occasion, Obiena soared over 5.77 meters on his very first attempt—an effort Huang could not replicate—clinching Obiena’s historic three-peat in the continental championship.

Thailand’s Patsapong Amsam-Aarng claimed the bronze medal with a personal-best jump of 5.67 meters, marking a strong performance for the region.

Meanwhile, fellow Filipino Hokett delos Santos finished in 13th place with a 4.97-meter clearance, and Filipino-American Robyn Brown placed fifth in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, continuing the Philippines’ active presence across multiple track and field events.

Obiena’s consistent excellence not only reinforces his status as one of Asia’s premier athletes but also continues to elevate Philippine athletics on the global stage. With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Obiena’s golden run is a promising sign of more triumphs to come.