Philippines's Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault event during the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League athletics meeting in Keqiao, Shaoxing in China's eastern Zhejiang province on May 3, 2025. Pedro Pardo, AFP/File
MANILA – Filipino Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena is heading into the 20th Asian Games pain free, more confident and with better preparation than his previous tour of duty.
The 30-year-old has won eight gold medals so far in the 2026 season, most recently at the Golden Sand 2026 competition in Międzyzdroje, Poland.
After leaping to gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, Obiena is determined to add another medal to his collection.
The Olympic pole vaulter said he's sharper and more prepared since it's later into the season, compared to the SEA Games.
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"I'm definitely going to the Asian Games as the defending champion, so that's big. I still want to win it. If I'm being honest with myself, anything short than gold is a bit of a painful thing to get. I'm aiming to win. It's something that I believe I could. I still believe I'm favored to win that competition," Obiena told ABS-CBN News last Saturday.
Despite already ruling the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, the pride of Manila is still hungry to compete at a high level and bring glory to the country.
"I've won it only one time. So, it's something significant for sure. Is it a career defining medal? Maybe not, but it definitely helps. I would love to have it and I'd love to win it. I believe the country needs it," Obiena said.
"Therefore I'm coming in there with the goal, with the belief that I could win it, that I know the competition is going to be tough, but knowing that what I'm capable of, hopefully everything goes to plan. I'm going to be there, compete at the best of my abilities, and hopefully by the end of the day, we'll have the gold," he added.
Last December at the SEA Games, Obiena highlighted how the level of pole vault in the region has been on the rise, including that of Asia.
With more up and coming pole vaulters reaching greater heights, Obiena shared what keeps him ahead of the pack.
"We're the oldest guys now in the Asian circuit. But at the same time, I think I'm quite consistent. I trust myself to be a good competitor. And with that comes experience and being able to be at the stage already. So I think that's an advantage for me. But then these guys are fearless. These guys are out there to compete. And I respect that," the 30-year-old explained.
"But then it's a double-edged sword. Now going into a championship, there's more competition. But yeah we're up for it. I do like to see it, I am looking forward to what that competition would bring out of me," Obiena said.
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The Olympian is proud to see more pole vaulters on the rise from Asia.
"I actually love to see that in a way. Because that's why I take a little bit of pride with that. Now you see that the Asian level is coming. It's not what it used to be. And maybe a little bit of there, I do feel maybe I take credit out of that as well. Like being, I guess, one of the top Asian pole vaulters in the past couple of years, that now Asian vaulters believe that they are capable of jumping," he said.
Up next for Obiena is the Diamond League circuit, followed by three consecutive meets in Lausanne, Silesia and Zurich.
The 20th Asian Games are set from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.