NAGOYA – After winning Asian Games gold, Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena traded his pole for a tennis racket to share the court with Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala.
In a video captured by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Secretary General Atty. Wharton Chan, Eala and Obiena were seen in a lighthearted match at the Higashiyama Koen Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.
Sitting on the umpire's chair, Chan even offered some commentary for the "finals match," asking if Obiena is applying for a new sport.
The Olympic pole vaulter was seen utilizing his forehand game in the fun crossover and rally between the two elite Filipino athletes.
"You enjoy this more than I enjoy pole vaulting! Maybe one day you should try—when you're done, when you're done!" Obiena joked to Eala.
Afterwards, it was Eala's turn to get pole vault lessons from Obiena on the same court.
Obiena took home gold in the men's pole vault event on Wednesday, while Eala clinched bronze in the women's singles tennis event on Thursday.
READ: EJ Obiena rules Asiad pole vault anew, delivers PH's third gold
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The 21-year-old was officially awarded the bronze medal at the women's singles victory ceremony held on Center Court.
China's Xiyu Wang took home the gold and the ticket to the 2028 LA Olympics, while her compatriot Shuai Zhang copped silver.
Following the Asian Games, Eala will compete in the Wuhan Open in China set for later this month.