EJ Obiena wins 4th SEA Games gold with record-breaking 5.70m jump

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena secured his fourth Southeast Asian Games gold medal by clearing 5.70 meters, setting a new SEA Games record.

He narrowly defeated Thailand's Patsapong Amsam-ang, who also cleared 5.70 meters, with Obiena winning through a countback on his first try.

Obiena acknowledged that the competition in the region is getting tougher, noting that a 5.70-meter jump is now needed to get second place.

He stated that if the SEA Games had been held earlier in the year, with his previous preparation, he might have lost.

This victory was part of a five-gold haul for the Philippines in athletics at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

Other Filipino gold medalists included hurdler John Cabang Tolentino, decathlete Hokett Delos Santos, and middle-distance runners Hussein Loraña and Naomi Marjorie Cesar.

Another Filipino athlete, Elijah Cole, won the bronze medal by clearing 5.20 meters.