Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena has made a strong return to international competition after nearly three months away, securing back-to-back gold medals in Europe.Competing in the Austrian Open held at the Leichtathletikarena in Eisenstadt, Obiena cleared 5.75 meters to set a new stadium record, surpassing the previous mark of 5.74 meters set in 2024 by American athlete Austin Miller.He achieved the winning height on his third and final attempt after already securing victory as the only athlete to clear 5.65 meters.

This latest triumph comes just days after he also won the Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial in Poland, marking his first consecutive gold medal finishes since his previous winning streak in regional competitions.

His performances signal a steady return to form following a challenging period that included a ninth-place finish in the World Athletics Indoor Championships and a series of inconsistent results earlier in the season, including placements outside the podium in Doha and the Netherlands.Despite the setback of a long competitive hiatus, Obiena showed resilience, gradually rebuilding momentum since his return in mid-June.His 5.

75m clearance is also his best outdoor mark of the current season, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s top pole vaulters and the only Asian athlete in the exclusive six-metre club.

Looking ahead, Obiena is scheduled to compete in Fly Athens in Greece, continuing his European campaign as he aims to sustain his improving form and build consistency heading into major international meets.