FILIPINO pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena continued his strong 2026 season by winning the Golden Sand 2026 meeting on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in Miedzyzdroje, Poland.
The two-time Olympian cleared 5.91 meters to claim the gold medal and season best in the Tadeusz Slusarski Memorial competition.
The former University of Santo Tomas standout topped the competition ahead of home bets Pawel Pospiech and Bartosz Mariniewicz, who both cleared 5.30m.
Obiena’s victory added another title to an impressive run of performances in Europe this season.
He had previously won back-to-back competitions in Germany, clearing 5.76m at the Halberstädter Höhenflug and 5.83m at the 30th International Pole Vault Meeting in Jockgrim.
The latest result further strengthened Obiena’s position among the leading pole vaulters in the world as he continues his preparation for the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. (Adrian Co)
