EJ Obiena Wins 4th SEA Games Gold, Breaks Own Pole Vault Record

EJ Obiena clears a record-breaking height to win the men’s pole vault gold at the 2025 SEA Games. Photo courtesy of POC.

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena once again delivered gold for the Philippines after topping the men’s pole vault event at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, extending his dominance in the region and reaffirming his place as Southeast Asia’s standard-bearer in the sport.

Obiena won the gold medal on December 16, 2025, after clearing 5.70 meters at the athletics venue in Bangkok, Thailand. The mark set a new SEA Games record, surpassing the 5.65 meters he himself established at the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, making the latest win both a title defense and a record-breaking performance.

The Filipino athlete secured the top spot via the countback rule after matching the winning height with Thailand’s Amsamang Patsapong but clearing the bar in fewer attempts. Fellow Filipino vaulter Elijah Cole added to the Philippines’ medal haul by earning the bronze.

The victory marked Obiena’s fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal in the men’s pole vault. He first won the event at the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, followed by gold medals at the 2021 Hanoi Games, the 2023 Phnom Penh Games, and now the 2025 Bangkok edition—a streak that underscores his long-term consistency at the regional level.

While Obiena regularly competes against the world’s top pole vaulters on the international circuit, his continued success at the SEA Games highlights the importance of regional competitions in sustaining momentum, inspiring younger athletes, and strengthening the Philippines’ athletics program.

With another gold medal and a new Games record to his name, Obiena continues to raise the bar—not only for Southeast Asian pole vaulting, but for Filipino excellence in sport.

Read more stories celebrating Filipino achievements in sports and beyond at GoodNewsPilipinas.com.