EJ Obiena keeps scaling new heights.
Obiena broke the Asian record on Saturday by jumping 6 meters on his first attempt, capturing the gold at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway.
In addition, he now stands among the elite group of more than 20 pole vaulters in the world who have surpassed the 6-meter mark, which includes Olympic champions such as Sergey Bubka, Thiago Braz, Renaud Lavillenie, and Mondo Duplantis.
He is the first Asian to join the prestigious list.
The 27-year-old Olympian won the Bergen Jump Challenge on countback after USA’s KC Lightfoot needed two attempts to clear 6 meters. In their three tries at 6.06 meters, Obiena and Lighfoot both fell short.
USA’s Sam Kendricks, who is also a member of the six-meter club, finished at 5.88 meters to take the bronze.
”It all started with a dream to jump over 5m and set the National Record to now be the 24th person all-time to go over the 6m barrier and the first ever Asian/Filipino,” Obiena said on Facebook.
”It took a few moments to sink in. But when it did, tears began to fall, there was no greater shoulder to cry on than my coach, Vitaliy. Couldn’t have done it without you,” he added.
”Still a lot of work ahead and still a long season. Just happy and proud to be part of the 6m Club.”
Obiena previously scaled 5.94 meters to set the Asian record and earn third place at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, in July last year.
