Obiena wins gold in foggy Taiwan meet

Metro Manila, Philippines - Fog and “murky” conditions did not stop Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena from winning the gold medal at the Taiwan International Pole Vault Championships.

Obiena soared to 5.50 meters after three attempts to rule the competition on Sunday, March 30, at the Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County.

The 29-year-old Tondo native said there was a fog warning during the pole vault contest. “With roughly 10 meters visibility, you just disappear,” he wrote on social media on Tuesday.

“Well I decided to go for it and place my leap of faith in God’s hand. I am thankful to have won the competition under such ‘murky’ conditions!” he said.

Other Filipino athletes in the Taiwan meet were Hokett delos Santos who cleared 5.15 meters and Francis Allen Sillar at 3.91 meters.

In the women’s competition, Ma. Khrizzie Clarisse Ruzol and Jessa Marie Libres cleared 3.40 meters.

This was Obiena’s first competition for the outdoor season after missing the indoor championships.

He last joined the Mondo Classic in Sweden on March 13, which was beyond the qualification period.

“The key is to go into the outdoor season healthy and ready to compete at the highest level,” the world No. 4 said on March 4. “It is also important to defend what I have already achieved in these championships.”