EJ Obiena beats Thailand’s Patsapong in SEA Games pole vault event via countback

CHONBURI — For a change, pole vault star EJ Obiena was made to sweat.

It’s both good and bad as far as the Filipino Olympian is concerned.

“Too close for comfort,” Mr. Obiena said after beating Thai  Amsam-ang Patsapong via countback on his way to extending Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for a record fourth time.

Mr. Obiena and Mr. Patsapong both cleared 5.70 meters (m) — a new Games standard — then failed at three attempts to break it at 5.75 m. Owing to hitting the best mark on his first try compared to the Thai’s three, the gold went to a relieved Mr. Obiena, even made a friendly banter with Mr. Patsapong at the mat at the end of the contest in acknowledgement of the fight he put up.

“It’s really early in the season. I thought I’d win with 5.65, 5.60. I had blisters going in so it is what it is, I have a job to do. I was hoping he would not push me today but that’s competition,” he said.

“I had my fair share of competing at home and I know that pumps you up. It brings out the best in you if you can handle the pressure, which the guy did. Kudos to him, really, what a fighter! Enjoyed that in some way, hated that it was that close in some way,” he added.

It’s something new for Mr. Obiena, who in previous editions was like a runaway train who only made his last jumps for new personal highs.

Going in, Mr. Obiena said he wasn’t after the 5.65 m he previously set in his three-peat feat in Cambodia two years ago.

“Before the start, I was like, what would it mean for EJ Obiena to win the SEA Games. Looking for some fire, some motivation. There’s no pole vaulter in SEA Games history to win this four times. That was the goal, not the record,” he said.

“So I really was like holding my nerves when that guy was making his attempt (5.75). I’m very happy that I’m able to take home the gold,” he added.

Mr. Obiena is glad to share the stage with Eli Cole, who took the bronze at 5.20 m.

“Nice to see the Philippines back on the podium with two people,” he said.

The member of pole vault’s elite 6-meter club admitted the rising threat in the regional meet.

“The SEA Games is becoming tough in pole vault. I take pride to see that used to be, with 4.80 you win bronze now it’s 5.20 m, and to get second, you need to jump 5.70 m.  That’s tough. You win Division 1 in the NCAA with that. It’s a good, respectable mark for our region and I really take pride in that,” he said. — Olmin Leyba