Ernest John “EJ” Obiena secured his second consecutive Asian Games gold medal after ruling the men’s pole vault competition Tuesday night at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
The Filipino star set a new Asian Games record at 5.91 meters to claim the gold, the country’s third in this year’s Games following gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo’s golden finishes in floor exercise and vault events.
Obiena entered the competition at 5.50 meters and needed only one attempt to clear the height. He then skipped 5.60 meters before moving to 5.70 meters, which he also successfully cleared.
The former University of Santo Tomas standout went on to clear 5.75 meters on first try, he failed on two attempts at 5.80 meters before completing the Asian Games record.
Finishing with silver and bronze medal in the competition, respectively, were Chinese Yao Jie and Li Chenyang, both with 5.75 mark.
Filipina-American sprinter Victoria Bossong, meanwhile, captured a bronze medal in the women’s 800-meter run with a time of 2:05.34. China’s Hongjian Wu captured the gold, while Nelly Korir of Bahrain clinched the silver. (Adrian Co)
