EJ Obiena delivered a season-best performance to capture the gold medal at the ISTAF Indoor pole vault competition in Berlin over the weekend.
The world No. 12 vaulter cleared a season-high 5.78 meters to top the eight-man field and secure his first solo gold in the European indoor circuit this season. It was also his final chance to meet the 5.90-meter qualifying standard for the World Athletics Indoor Championships set for March 20–22 in Toruń. Although he fell short of the mark, his performance could still earn him a spot through world ranking points.
Obiena Soars to Victory with Calculated Risks
Obiena took a calculated gamble early, skipping the 5.30m and 5.45m heights to conserve energy. He cleared 5.60m on his second attempt before bypassing 5.70m entirely. With the crowd watching, the Filipino soared over 5.78m on his first try. The bar wobbled slightly as he descended but stayed in place, allowing him to celebrate the season-best clearance.
“Brick by brick we build. Season’s best of 5.78m and a [gold medal] here,” Obiena posted on Facebook. “Thanks for having me, Berlin. #parasabayan.”
He attempted 5.83m three times afterward but could not complete the jump.
Simen Guttormsen matched Obiena’s 5.78m but settled for silver via countback after needing multiple attempts at earlier heights. Menno Vloon and Bo Kanda Lita Baehre shared third place with identical clearances of 5.70m.
Trending Up Again?
The victory marked a strong rebound for Obiena after a mixed indoor campaign. The 30-year-old had previously reached the podium in four of his first five competitions but slipped to fourth in Perche aux étoiles and sixth-place finishes in Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée EDF and the ORLEN Copernicus Cup.
Now, with his triumph in Berlin, Obiena might just trend back up again as he continues his push to get back into the sport’s highest echelons.
