EJ Obiena’s fourth straight SEA Games gold didn’t come easy, with the Filipino star noting the growing competitiveness of regional pole vault.
EJ Obiena may have captured his fourth consecutive SEA Games gold, but the Filipino pole vault star had to dig deeper to do so.
The 30-year-old leaper was pushed to the limit by Thailand’s Amsamang Patsapong before successfully defending his title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
[ALSO READ: EJ Obiena resets SEA Games pole vault record anew, lands fourth straight gold medal]
Both athletes cleared a competition record of 5.70 meters, but Obiena secured the gold via countback after clearing the height on his first attempt, while the Thai needed three tries.
After clearing 5.65 meters earlier in the competition, Obiena seemed in control, but Patsapong remained within striking distance despite missing his first two attempts.
With the Thai crowd cheering him on, Patsapong forced a decisive jump, underscoring just how competitive the event had become.
"I didn’t think I would jump 5.70. It’s becoming really competitive, and I’m happy with that. The SEA Games are getting tough," Obiena said in a post-competition interview with One Sports correspondent Alyssa Valdez.
He added that the intensity of the competition pushed him to approach the event with a renewed mindset.
"It feels good, and for the first time in the SEA Games, I came out to win like I was looking for some fire," he said.
Limited preparation was another hurdle as Obiena revealed he had less than two months to get ready for the biennial sporting meet.
"I had a really short preparation. We had the Manila competition, and I had three to four weeks to recover, so I only had six weeks to prepare for this. I think I need more time next time. Lesson learned," the two-time Olympian admitted.
Obiena was not the only Filipino to medal, as compatriot Elijah Cole claimed bronze with a 5.20-meter jump.
"I’m happy for him. He got the medal. His first outing in Cambodia didn’t go well, but now he did," Obiena said.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.