EJ Obiena wins fourth straight SEA Games gold

Still the Southeast Asian standard.

The Philippines' EJ Obiena seized his fourth straight gold medal after ruling the 2025 Southeast Asian Games men's pole vault finals on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Thailand. 

The Filipino pole vaulter shattered the SEA Games record he himself set in Cambodia two years ago, clearing 5.70 meters in only one attempt to bag his fourth title in a row. 

The previous mark was 5.65m Obiena made in the 2023 SEA Games.

Thailand’s Patsapong Amsam-ang also cleared 5.70 meters, setting a new personal best and tying the SEA Games record, but had to settle for silver after taking three attempts to reach the height.

Another Filipino pole vaulter, Elijah Cole, claimed the bronze medal after clearing 5.20 meters, improving on his 2023 SEA Games performance where he failed to clear 4.90 meters in three attempts.

Obiena's gold medal run didn't come without a challenge. 

He easily cleared his first height at 5.35 meters before taking two leaps to clear 5.45 meters. He regrouped at the next height after soaring past 5.55 meters and 5.65 meters to match the Games record. 

Obiena then needed just one jump to clear 5.70 meters but had to hold his breath when Amsam-ang, who took bronze in Cambodia, also cleared the same height—albeit in three attempts.

The two attempted 5.75 meters to decide the gold medal, but neither succeeded, leaving Obiena to claim the top spot.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News