EJ Obiena puts on a show, rules home pole vault competition

MANILA, September 22 ------ Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena put on a show in front of his home fans, ruling the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle. Obiena cleared 5.80-meters on his second attempt to take first place via countback.

France's Thibaut Collet also cleared the same height but needed three tries to do so. Both Obiena and Collet missed out on the 5.90-m mark. Poland's Piotr Lisek rounded out the podium with bronze after clearing 5.60m.

The event was a dream come true for Obiena, who had expressed his wish of bringing his sport closer to Filipino fans after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I'm so happy for a beautiful comeback win, a really good way to end the season," said Obiena, who is currently ranked seventh in the world. "I think it's one of the best jumps I've had this year."

The two-time Olympian was grateful for the opportunity to compete at home, while also introducing more Filipinos to pole vaulting. "I would say this is such a unique experience. They definitely made it so much more than what I actually dreamed of," he said. "My dream is to have this on a much, much smaller scale to be honest. I am really surprised at how big the crowd is." "The lines, the security. As I said, professionalism. The field itself is incredible. For a first-time competition, you typically don't get this," he added.

While he acknowledged that there were some nerves leading up to the event, Obiena felt the spectacle was worth it. "Did I have a dream? Yeah. Did I have a nightmare that almost happened? Yeah. So, I would say it's a bit poetic. I think we gave really a good show. At the expense of my nerves and my heart and I guess my reputation. But, you know, it is a sport. I think it couldn't have been a better ending to my season through you," he said. He is hopeful that Sunday's event will just be the start: "Now, we have these athletes to say how good the Philippines is. So, hopefully, next time, we'll bring much more."

Silver medalist Collet praised the atmosphere in Makati, calling it unlike anything he had experienced. "We all know [how] it is it to have a big, big atmosphere around us. But today was really spectacular and it was beautiful and amazing." Bronze medalist Lisek was equally impressed. "It was a pure pleasure to be here in front of these handsome guys. The crowd was amazing. All this event was prepared 100% professionally, so I'm glad to be here. Thank you so much," he said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com