Graphics by Dyric Espinosa

MIĘDZYZDROJE, Poland —Ernest John “EJ” Obiena continued his strong European campaign, clearing 5.91 meters to win gold and set new record at the 2026 Golden Sand pole vault meet, Tuesday, August 18.

The 30-year-old Obiena dominated the competition to claim his eighth gold medal of the season and his third straight victory in European meets.

Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam settled for silver after clearing 5.75m, while American Cole Walsh took bronze with 5.70m via countback over Saudi Arabia’s Hussain Al-Hizam.

Obiena returned to the 5.90m mark for the first time in several competitions, adding another milestone to his resurgent campaign.

“I haven’t been up here for some time… 5.91m here in Międzyzdroje for the [gold] and a new meeting record,” Obiena wrote in an Instagram post.

The 5.91m clearance surpassed Obiena’s previous season best of 5.85m, which he recorded for silver at the Meeting Madrid in Spain in July.

Obiena also improved on his 5.83m clearance in Jockgrim, Germany, as he continued his winning run in Europe.

Following the victory, Obiena climbed one spot to No. 13 in the World Athletics rankings and continued his push toward the top eight.

A top-eight ranking could help Obiena secure a place in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11 to 13.

Meanwhile, Obiena will also turn his attention to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, where he will defend the men’s pole vault title he won at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Obiena has been training in Athens, Greece, after moving his training camp from Formia, Italy, and now works with Polish coach Marcin Szczepanski.

With the season’s major competitions approaching, Obiena’s 5.91m clearance gives him another boost as he continues his climb back toward the world’s elite pole vaulters.

Article by Ellie Cabalhin