Nagoya, Japan — Pole vaulter EJ Obiena delivered the Philippines’ third gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday, defending his title from 2023 with a Games-record clearance of 5.91 meters at a rain-soaked Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The 30-year-old had already secured gold by clearing 5.75 meters, the only mark reached by anyone in the 12-man field, before pushing further to break his own previous record of 5.90 meters set in Hangzhou three years ago.
Obiena becomes the first Filipino to successfully defend an individual Asian Games track and field title since sprinter Lydia de Vega-Mercado won back-to-back 100-meter golds in 1982 and 1986. He called the win “very satisfying,” noting it capped what he described as his 10th victory of the season, despite slipping and injuring his arm on the wet track earlier in the day. His gold follows two golds from gymnast Carlos Yulo earlier in the Games, giving Team Philippines three golds so far in Nagoya. Read More
