Emerson Obiena wins gold at the World Masters Games 2025
Coach Emerson Obiena, the father of pole vault star EJ Obiena, has won a gold medal at this year's World Masters Games.
The 60-year-old Obiena scored 3.60 at the Men’s Pole Vault 60+, bagging the gold medal at this year's games held in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
In an interview, Obiena admitted that he aimed to jump at 3.75 had it not been for his foot injury.
"Last year I jumped 3.70 meters, and today, I really wanted to jump over 3.75 meters, but I was worried that my injury would get worse. So after failing the first two jumps, I decided to give up the third jump. Considering the injury, this result is okay, but I would be happier if I could jump over 3.75 meters," Obiena commented on his win, per the Chinese media, Brave Athlete.
Obiena is currently the Head Coach for Boys Athletics at the University of Santo Tomas, National Team Coach under the Philippine Sports Commission.
Before his stint as a coach, he was an athlete himself. He started in athletics at 24, before becoming a member of the Philippine National Pole Vault Team.
Among his significant achievements, he clinched a silver medal at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, followed by a bronze in the 2005 competition.
He also competed in bodybuilding during his career, including the Slimmers World 2002 competition when he was 38.
In 2023, Obiena also claimed gold and set a new record at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championships in the Men’s Pole Vault 55–59 division held in Tarlac.
