Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena cleared 5.91 meters to win gold and set a new meet record at the Golden Sand Competition in Poland.

The victory marked Obiena’s eighth gold medal of the 2026 season as he topped a competitive field in the World Athletics Continental Tour event, which included American standouts Cole Walsh and Hunter Garretson and France’s Robin Emig.

Obiena’s 5.91-meter clearance also marked his best performance of the season, surpassing his previous season-best of 5.85 meters, which earned him silver at the Meeting Madrid in Spain.

He also improved on his 5.83-meter winning clearance at the Stabhochsprung Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany, last week.

“Thank you very much, Golden Sand, for having me. Happy to finally be back over a 90 bar,” Obiena said in an online post

Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, Obiena is seeking to return to the top 10 as he continues his 2026 campaign.