Ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, EJ Obiena Reaches New Heights
Photographed by Ryan Kevin and styled by Mark-Paul Barro
After a string of wins this season, the decorated Filipino pole vaulter is setting his sights on his next major challenge.
Whenever EJ Obiena jumps high, he maintains that energy and never takes it for granted. It’s not just in pole vaulting, apparently, but in the overall trajectory of his career, ever since he became the first Filipino to qualify for the Paris Olympics and rose to become the world’s number two male pole vaulter in 2023.
The past weeks have been a whirlwind of action for Obiena. In August alone, at the Golden Sand Meet in Poland, he won gold by clearing a season-best 5.91m, breaking the meet record and marking his highest clearance in two years. This was followed by a 5.90m clearance at the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League in Switzerland, where he finished fifth and officially secured his qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. He capped off his August schedule by bagging his ninth gold medal of the season after clearing 5.82m at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
“Hopefully being in a constant grind with these world-class pole vaulters is immeasurable, and I hope by Paris I should be able to put them into fruition and use all the knowledge that I have and hopefully bring back a medal,” Obiena said in an interview with Vogue Philippines in 2024.
True enough, Obiena has continued to build on that trajectory since then. After spending a quieter season last year, he has racked up nine gold medals and 13 podium finishes in 2026. His most recent competition was the Domspringen Wesel in Germany on September 1, where he placed second with a 5.75m clearance after experiencing fatigue from competing in six events across 14 days.
That momentum continues beyond the competition floor. After moving his training camp from Formia, Italy, to Athens, Greece, in mid-2026, Obiena began training alongside Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis under Polish coach Marcin Szczepanski. His next competition is the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, where he will enter as the defending champion and gold medalist.
Frequently Asked Questions
EJ Obiena is a Filipino pole vaulter and one of the Philippines’ leading track and field athletes. He became the first Filipino to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics and finished fourth in the men’s pole vault final with a 5.90m clearance.
The Asian Games are a major multi-sport competition where athletes from across Asia compete in various sporting events. The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The Paris Summer Olympics were the 2024 edition of the Olympic Games, held in Paris, France. Obiena competed in the men’s pole vault and finished fourth with a 5.90m clearance.
Emmanouil Karalis is a Greek pole vaulter who won the bronze medal in the men’s pole vault at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 5.90m clearance. He also won silver at the 2025 World Championships after clearing 6.00m.
Marcin Szczepanski is a Polish pole vault coach who currently trains EJ Obiena in Athens, Greece. He previously coached Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis and helped guide him to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.