THOMASIAN TRACKSTER icon EJ Obiena struck gold in the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships on Saturday, Feb. 7, in Tianjin, China.
Obiena, who holds the Asian record at 5.93 meters, cleared the 5.70-meter bar in just a single attempt.
This is Asia’s No. 1 pole vaulter’s second gold of 2026 following a triumphant run in the International Springer-Meeting in Cottbus, Germany, last Jan. 29.
The two-time Olympic pole vaulter also attempted to hurdle 5.80m, but was unsuccessful after three tries.
Li Chenyang of China tried to challenge Obiena but failed to surpass 5.70m, settling for silver. Fellow countryman Chen Yang closed out the podium with a 5.40m clearance.
Next stop for the World No. 11 pole vaulter is the upcoming INIT Indoor Meeting on Feb. 8 at Karlsruhe, Germany. F – Ezekiel Bechaida
