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Filipino pole vaulter Elijah Cole is holding himself to a high standard as he begins his 2026 season.
For years, Philippine pole vaulting has been synonymous with EJ Obiena, who has proudly championed his Filipino roots while reaching historic heights on the world stage.
In the eyes of his fellow pole vaulters, including Kevin Elijah Cole, having a trailblazer like EJ is a privilege. More than having an inspiration, EJ’s achievements raise the bar for those who will follow in his footsteps.
“I’m super thankful to have someone to chase. And like for me, individually, he’s set the standard,” Elijah told The GAME during an exclusive media shoot with Penshoppe PLAY. “This guy’s setting all the Asian records, and you know? All the gold medals he’s got for the SEA Games and everything, he’s just setting the model.”
“Now that I’m following it and like Hockett [Delos Santos] is on the road to following it, and then all these other vaulters that are coming up, having someone like EJ is important because it’s just proof that any Filipino can be doing this at the highest level possible at the Olympics.”
Just two months ago, Elijah had the chance to compete with EJ at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. It was here that EJ won his fourth-straight SEA Games gold, while Elijah cleared the 5.20 mark to secure the bronze.
Behind that bronze medal, Elijah says, was the support he received from EJ, being the “big brother” who goes out of his way to offer guidance.
“He’s there supporting me in my every single attempt, even though he has to prepare for himself competing…and it’s nice to have someone you can go back-and-forth with,” Elijah recalls.
“Just having him to be so supportive after you clear the bar then you walk back on the runway, you run into EJ and he’s like, ‘Dude, that was awesome!’. That’s just a big boost of confidence that someone at his level is giving you props you know?”
That, along with making up for his failed debut in Cambodia, made Elijah’s SEA Games bronze all the more sweeter.
“I felt way less pressure this time, and that was the big thing. Just being more comfortable; if you look back at all the footage, it’s like I’m just doing my thing; I’ve already done this a million times before. So it was just nice to finally be comfortable on this stage, and it just gave me all the marks that I wanted.”
Leaping higher
Now that we’re into the new year, the goal remains for Elijah Cole, and that’s to continue raising the bar for himself as a pole vaulter, while being guided by the standards that EJ Obiena has previously set.
As early as now, Elijah is looking to qualify for the Nagoya Asian Games this September, which could serve as a fitting follow-up to his redemption story at the SEA Games.
“That’s the biggest stage that I think I can make right now at this exact moment. That’s the goal — represent the Philippines on the biggest stage possible,” Elijah said of the Asian Games.
Although the Asian Games is his immediate goal, that’s not to say that Elijah isn’t dreaming bigger for himself. Should time and circumstance be on his side, the pole vaulter also hopes to follow EJ’s footsteps representing the Philippines at the Olympics, and even the World Athletics Championships down the line.
Still, Elijah is keeping things realistic, knowing that his huge dreams will require a step-by-step process. In the lead-up to the Asian Games, it’s now a matter of improving his leap at indoor meets in the United States, along with finally resetting his personal best of 5.41 meters.
“I’ve been stagnant with my progress for a while; I jumped 5.41 meters in 2022 or 2023…so it’s almost two and a half years of the same height,” he explained. “I mean, I’ve tied it this last season, and around once or twice the year before that.”
“So I need something just to push over to the next height…so [around] 5.50 has been on my mind for a while now.”
Though it will be easier said than done, Elijah knows that constant progress will be possible if he plays his cards right.
“It’s gonna take at least 5.50, 5.60, 5.65 for the medal and it’s gonna be a tough one. But I think it’s definitely possible with the right coaching, and just the right days and training, and staying healthy will be the most important part.”
Images by Enzo Santos.