He is truly the pole-vault king of Asia - Philippines' star athlete EJ Obiena wins Asian Games pole vault with games record

Philippines' Ernest John Obiena competes during the men's pole vault final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. - AP

HANGZHOU (AFP): Philippines pole vaulter EJ Obiena cruised to gold in an Asian Games record on Saturday -- and then said he missed not having record-breaker Armand Duplantis to compete against.

Obiena has been one of Swedish world record-holder Duplantis's closest rivals this year, finishing second behind him at last month's world championships in Budapest.