Philippines' Ernest John Obiena celebrates in the men's pole vault final during the 2026 Asian Games at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture on September 29, 2026. Mohd Rasfan, AFP
NAGOYA – Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena is ending his 2026 season on a high note – taking home a second Asian Games gold medal and a new record.
Obiena leaped to gold with a successful 5.91m clearance on a rainy Tuesday evening at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
The 30-year-old likewise set the new Games Record at 5.91m, one centimeter more than his final clearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"I'm dead. I'm tired, man. I'm satisfied. I think if there's a word to summarize everything, I'm satisfied," he told reporters.
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Obiena shared he could have attempted to surpass his Asian record of 6.00m, but decided not to do so as he was cramping up.
The Olympian admitted improving his Asian record was on his mind, but the inclement weather and an accident made him put it off.
"I mean [I was] thinking about it, it wasn't like the main goal. The main goal is to win. Especially with the rain, you know, it could be tricky. It could be some slippage," Obiena said.
"I had an accident this morning. I tripped and fell. So, you know, it is what it is sometimes. Because we're staying pretty far from the track. I did my training in the morning in the hallway and I tripped... I'm good. It's just, you know, carpet burns," he explained as he showed wounds on his left arm and knee.
Obiena has been wanting to eat his favorite sushi, but he may have to leave Japan without it as he's due to return to Manila on Thursday.
While he won't get his sushi, Obiena will be able to spend time with his family and friends in his brief visit to the Philippines.
Even if his season is over, Obiena will be returning to training in a few weeks' time to get back to work with his new team in Athens, Greece.
"What's next? I've been competing from what? February? I think it's what? My 10th win of the season? I think that's a good way to end it," he said.
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With the Asian Games officially in the books, Obiena shared he was in a much better place mentally and physically after a tough 2025.
"Just keep doing what I do. To be honest, I think I've found a little bit of a different perspective about my event. The things that I do, I'm enjoying it again. I'm happy to be going and training. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to train. I'm happy to compete. I'm happy to take the risk," he said.
"I don't think I need to change anything. I just need to figure this out, still understand what exactly am I feeling and why exactly am I happy, why exactly am I looking forward to these things. With that, you know, it kind of ingrains and roots my being and the way I approach my day to day," Obiena added.
The Olympian's gold makes it three so far for the Philippines at the 20th Asian Games.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena credits recent success to new training environment, being fully healthy