Ernest John “EJ” Obiena defended his Asian Games title in Nagoya, Japan on September 29, 2026. He cleared a height of 5.91 meters, a new Games record for him.
A Proud Win for the Philippines
The competition was held at the rain-soaked Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Obiena was the only athlete to clear 5.75m. That secured his second straight Asian Games gold, following his 2023 win in China.
However, he wasn’t done yet. With the title already his, Obiena went for more. He cleared 5.91m on his first try. That broke his own previous record of 5.90m.
This win gave the Philippines its third gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games. Gymnast Carlos Yulo won the first two. Filipino athletes also brought home two bronze medals, from John Cabang Tolentino in hurdles and Victoria Bossong in the 800m.
Grit Through the Rain
Obiena’s day didn’t start smoothly. He slipped and fell in the rain before competing. But he shook it off and dominated the field. He beat China’s Yao Jie and Li Chenyang, who both settled for 5.70m.
A Growing Legacy
Obiena already holds the Asian record of 6.00 meters. He also has three golds and one bronze from the Asian Championships. Add to that four straight Southeast Asian Games golds.
With the LA28 Olympics two years away, this could be Obiena’s last Asian Games run. That makes this gold even more special for Filipinos who’ve watched him fly the flag high, year after year.
Once again, EJ Obiena proves Filipino athletes can win at the highest level. Mabuhay!