World no. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena added another title to his trophy cabinet as he clinched his first indoor gold in 2025 over the weekend.

Obiena secured both his season best and the gold medal via countback as he leapt 5.70 meters in the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor on Saturday, Feb 8. (Manila time), in Metz, France.

Dutch pole vaulter and world no. 13 Menno Vloon grabbed silver with 5.70 meters, but failed to clear 5.80 meters.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Christopher Nilsen bagged the bronze medal after notching 5.60 meters and missing 5.70 meters on all his attempts.

Obiena went on to compete in the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) Indoor tournament on Sunday, Feb. 9 (Manila time), in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The 29-year-old cleared 5.50 meters in his first attempt but fell short of conquering 5.75 meters to seize a medal finish. He finished seventh in the eight-man field.

Homegrown bet Torben Blech claimed the ISTAF title, clearing 5.80 meters. World no. 2 Sam Hendricks and Turkish Ersu Sasma both mounted 5.70 meters to complete the podium.

Last year, Obiena soared to 5.93 meters at ISTAF to take the 2024 crown.

Obiena earlier competed in the International Jump Meeting Cottbus, Germany– his first competition after sustaining a back injury late last year–clearing 5.65 meters to finish second.