EJ Obiena clears season best, bags silver in Madrid

Kim Vincent Verano

Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena matched his season-best outdoor clearance to capture the silver medal at the Meeting Madrid 2026, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver, in Spain, July 17.

The 30-year-old defending Asian Games champion cleared 5.85 meters on his second attempt before failing to clear 5.95 meters in three tries, settling for the silver medal.

“Green socks for the green event in Madrid. 5.85m for 2nd place and SB here @athleticstoures. Thank you for having us. Will get this bar next time,” the Southeast Asian champion wrote on Instagram after the competition.

Obiena opened his campaign by clearing 5.50 meters and 5.75 meters on his first attempts.

He then passed on the 5.65-meter and 5.80-meter bars before attempting 5.85 meters, which he cleared on his second try.

Looking to challenge for gold, Obiena opted to move up to 5.95 meters but was unable to clear the bar in all three attempts.

Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehre claimed the gold medal after clearing both 5.85 meters and 5.90 meters on his first attempts before also missing all three tries at 5.95 meters.

Portugal’s Pedro Buaró likewise cleared 5.85 meters but settled for bronze on countback.

Before competing in Madrid, Obiena placed fourth at the Fly Athens Street Pole Vault on July 5 with a clearance of 5.81 meters before finishing sixth in Budapest with 5.80 meters, missing the podium in both meets on countback.

Obiena continues his buildup toward the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where he will defend his title later this year.