Ernest John Obiena got the gold he wanted in Berlin sans the big guns, but the Filipino pole vaulter hardly celebrated it.

Obiena cleared 5.82 meters to rule the ISTAF Berlin in Germany on Monday, but admitted he was not satisfied with how he won as he shifts his attention to the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The 30-year-old Obiena bounced back from his fifth-place finish in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League on 21 August, where he cleared 5.81m.

Ylio Philtjens of Belgium settled for silver with 5.72m, while Robin Emig of France also cleared the same height but took bronze on countback.

Obiena then made one last attempt to boost his chances of qualifying for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest by taking a shot at 5.97m, but failed to clear the height.

More than the victory, Obiena admitted he still has plenty of work to do following a challenging season that saw him change coaches in June and move to Athens.

“To be honest, it did not feel so good to win here. I did not like to win this way. There was a lot of action on the track and the other pole vaulters were not happy with that. But it is what it is,” Obiena said.

“In previous years they always waited for us and our run-up. I do not feel like I won. This season was a bit tricky for me because I changed coaches in June. I am now working with Karalis’ father and I moved to Athens. I am getting into my jumping right now.”

Obiena will now turn his attention to Nagoya, where he will defend the Asian Games gold medal he won in Hangzhou three years ago.

He will also have his sights set on breaking his own Asiad record of 5.90m.

Despite his frustrations, Obiena remained grateful to the German meet for the opportunity.

“Delivered 5.82m here in Berlin for the (gold). Thank you ISTAF Berlin for having me. Hope to see you again next year!!!” Obiena wrote on social media.