EJ Obiena snags ninth gold medal of 2026 in Berlin tilt

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino pole vault sensation EJ Obiena captured another gold medal after reigning supreme at ISTAF Berlin at the Olympiastadion in Germany on Aug. 31, 2026.

With another dominant performance, Obiena clinched his ninth gold of the 2026 tournament calendar and continued his impressive international campaign.

A week after winning gold at the Golden Sand event in Międzyzdroje, Poland, Obiena sustained his momentum and proved once again that he is not slowing down during the final four months of the competition calendar.

Obiena’s 5.82-meter clearance was more than enough to earn another podium finish, placing him ahead of Belgium’s Ylio Philtjens and France’s Robin Emig.

Unlike his gold-medal finish in Poland, Obiena opened ISTAF Berlin with a different approach, skipping the initial heights before joining the 10-man field at 5.62 meters.

Obiena needed two attempts to clear 5.62 meters but made up for it when he cleared the winning height with ease.

Philtjens’ and Emig’s respective campaigns ended at 5.72 meters, with the Belgian edging the Frenchman on countback.

Obiena tried to improve on his season-best clearance of 5.91 meters, but 5.97 meters proved too much as he missed all three attempts and settled for 5.82 meters.

“5.82m here in Berlin for the gold,” Obiena posted on his official Facebook account.

“Thank you @istaf_berlin for having me. Hope to see you again next year! #parasabayan.”

Obiena next competes in the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 4, 2026, after qualifying with a 5.90-meter clearance at Weltklasse Zürich.