EJ Obiena says competing amidst rain, wind a 'different kind of challenge'

PHNOM PENH — Despite heavy rains and strong winds, EJ Obiena braved his way through to clinch a third consecutive gold in the regional meet as he ruled the 2023 SEA Games men's pole vault event on Monday at the Morodok Techo Stadium.

But while the bad weather failed to dampen Obiena's mindset, the world no. 3 said it was still a hard task to accomplish in those conditions. He ruled the SEA Games pole vaulting competition again after also winning gold in the 2019 and 2021 editions.

"I mean we don't like it but it happens. This is tough. This is a different kind of challenge for sure," Obiena said after clearing a new SEAG record of 5.65 meters.

"I mean, I knew it was gonna rain and we prepared."

“This is tough."

EJ Obiena shares his thoughts after he braved the strong rains and wind to rule the #SEAGames2023 men’s pole vault event and bag his third straight crown @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/z31CzfSXLS

— Bea Micaller (@beamicallerrr) May 8, 2023

Obiena had two cleared jumps before the organizers decided to halt the competition due to the weather. The  27-year-old first breezed past 5.20 meters, though it took him two tries as his first jump was deemed as a miss despite his protest that it was the wind that caused the bar to flip.

"I knew I didn't touch it and they weren't sure so I just made the next one."

After clearing the next height at 5.40m, Obiena already bagged the gold as he was the lone remaining pole vaulter in the field with Thailand's Kasinpob Chomchanad retiring at 5.40m.

Obiena, though, continued to jump after the game was resumed, clearing 5.50m, 5.55m, 5.60m, and 5.65m all in one attempt each.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News