Ernest Obiena sets new PH record, captures pole vault gold in 2019 Universiade

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino athlete Ernest Obiena created history for the Philippines after nabbing the country’s only gold in the 2019 Universiade in Naples, Italy.

Obiena ruled the men’s pole vault event with a 5.76-meter performance, breaking the Philippines’ previous record of 5.71 meters that he set back in April 2019 in the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

His gold medal is Philippines’ only medal in Naples where 65 nations are competing.

Obiena edged Germany’s Torben Blech and Belgium’s Ben Broeders who settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The Filipino athlete is listed as the no.13 in the world according to the International Association of Athletics Federations website.