EJ Obiena wraps up Germany tilt with back-to-back golds

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

EJ Obiena capped his Germany campaign with two consecutive gold medals after reigning supreme during the Stabhochsprung Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany, on Aug. 6, 2026.

Fresh off a golden leap at the recently concluded Halberstädter Höhenflug in Halberstadt, Obiena picked up where he left off as he captured another title for his seventh gold medal of the 2026 tournament calendar.

Obiena cleared 5.83 meters to seize the gold medal, edging Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam via countback and Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, who finished third with 5.77 meters.

The Filipino pole-vaulting sensation survived a slow start in Jockgrim, needing two attempts to clear the opening height of 5.45 meters.

After the sluggish start, Obiena quickly regained his footing as he successfully cleared 5.60 meters and 5.70 meters, both on his first attempts.

A nip-and-tuck affair unfolded in the battle for gold after Abdelsalam matched Obiena through 5.83 meters but lost on countback after needing three attempts to clear the championship height.

Flawless and in the zone, Obiena carried his momentum as he cleared 5.83 meters on his first attempt to officially seal the victory.

The Filipino then raised the bar to 5.93 meters in an attempt to improve on his season-best mark of 5.85 meters but fell short on all three attempts.

Obiena is enjoying one of his best starts to an international tournament calendar after collecting his 10th overall medal since opening 2026 with a bronze in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“5.83m for the gold in front of a packed J-Town!!!” Obiena posted on his official Facebook account.

“Was far from a smooth competition and some struggles during warm-up and earlier bars but happy to scrap an 80 bar. We continue to work and now a few trainings in before we go again.”

Obiena aims to sustain his momentum on Aug. 21, 2026, when he returns to compete in the Athletissima Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland.