World's top pole vaulters set to soar at EJ Obiena's Manila tournament

September 20 ------ This coming weekend, the dream of EJ Obiena becomes a reality. After competing at the Paris Olympics in 2024, he shared his longtime dream, which is to host an international pole vault event in the Philippines.

It was a dream not just for himself but the entire nation because he wanted to bring over his friends from the sport to his home country and to excite Filipino fans through an elite-level competition and show that the Philippines can be a great host to a global sporting event. “More than experiencing this event myself, I’m excited to give this experience to Filipino sports fans. LikeI said last year, the country deserves this. Filipinos deserve to enjoy this level of competition, to have something to cheer for,” said Obiena.

Sanctioned by the World Athletics Continental Tour- Bronze Category, the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge is set to transform the Ayala Triangle into a world-class sports venue, hosting Olympic-caliber athletes from around world. This two-day event will unite fans in an unforgettable sporting experience, bringing together top national athletes and world-class international vaulters in a rare showcase of talent and pride.

PUMA, as an official partner, highlights the athletes' drive for greatness and unites sports fans internationally through this sporting event. Fans can also look forward to exclusive PUMA apparel as memorable souvenirs from this one-of-a-kind competition in Makati. From September 20-21, Filipino fans will rally behind EJ as the Ayala Triangle Gardens transforms into a premier athletics venue. The Asian record holder and 2023 World Athletics Championships silver medalist will once again face some of the sport’s biggest names.

The excitement begins on September 20 with a special Meet and Greet at One Ayala. Fans will have the chance to meet their pole vault idols up close, interact with international competitors, and share in the anticipation before the action unfolds. Later in the day, the National Pole Vault Competition takes center stage from 2-5 p.m., highlighting rising Filipino athletes who will showcase their talent on the same stage as the world’s elite. This Philippine athletic competition underscores the event’s commitment to nurturing homegrown sports excellence and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

The spotlight shifts on September 21 to the international showdown, as the Ayala Triangle Gardens hosts a world-class competition featuring Obiena and nine of the world’s best vaulters. Among them are Ersu Sasma (Turkey), fresh from his fifth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics; Thibaut Collet (France), who recently cleared an impressive 5.95m personal best outdoors; and Oleg Zernikel (Germany), who finished fourth in the 2021 European Indoor Championships.

Joining them are Ben Broeders (Belgium), Piotr Lisek (Poland), Menno Vloon (Netherlands), and American standouts Austin Miller and Matt Ludwig. This gathering of talent is a rare moment for Filipino sports fans, a chance to experience the intensity, skill, and drama of global athletics right here in the Philippines, blending the best of Philippine and international sports culture in one unforgettable weekend.

Source: philstar.com