ERNEST John “EJ” Obiena continued to flex his fine form as he soared to a new season-best jump, claiming another gold medal at the Golden Sand 2026 in Promenada Gwiazd, Międzyzdroje, Poland, early Tuesday (Philippine time).
Sustaining his resurgence, the Filipino pole vault star cleared 5.91 meters to surpass his previous season-high of 5.85m and claim his eighth gold of the year.
It was Obiena’s third straight title and fifth overall in the outdoor season after posting back-to-back victories in Germany earlier this month.
The two-time Olympian reached the 5.90-m mark for the first time since finishing fourth in the Paris Olympics two years ago, while setting a new meeting record at the Golden Sand.
“I haven’t been up here for some time. 5.91m here in Międzyzdroje for the gold and a new meeting record,” the 30-year-old two-time Olympian wrote on social media.
“Thank you very much Golden Sand, for having me. Happy to finally be back over a 90 bar,” he added.
Obiena lorded over the 11-man World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event, with Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam settling for silver with a distant 5.75m and USA’s Cole Walsh nabbing bronze with 5.70m.
The reigning Asian Games champion is continuing to build momentum ahead of his title defense in this year’s continental tilt slated for September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya, Japan.
Obiena snared gold in the 2023 Hangzhou edition in China with an Asiad record of 5.90m.
Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, Obiena is also looking to break into the top eight to qualify for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship scheduled for September 11 to 13 in Budapest, Hungary.
The two-time World Championships medalist and three-time Asian Athletics winner is likewise continuing his qualification campaign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.