Philippine pole vaulter EJ Obiena puts on his organizer hat as he brings world class pole vaulting to the streets of the Philippines.
EJ Obiena is set to organize a high-level competition in the Philippines as the country hosts the first-ever Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in September, he announced in a press conference on Monday.
Obiena, currently the 4th ranked pole vaulter in the world, said that he plans on inviting some of his peers including world record holder Mondo Duplantis, and other top ranked pole vaulters to compete in the event which will happen on September 20 and 21 at the Ayala Triangle in Makati.
“It has been my lifelong dream to mount a world-class sporting event in my homeland to showcase Filipino talent and make the nation proud. Now, it’s finally happening. I call on my kababayans to come together and support this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Obiena.
The 29-year-old will also be vaulting in the competition itself which will be sanctioned by World Athletics and Asian Athletics.
Meaning, the competition will be earning ranking points and will also be held as part of the tour. The winner will also be taking home a crash prize.
Obiena said that the competition is strategically scheduled to happen after the World Championships which ensure that Duplantis and all other competitors will be free to compete in what will be a street pole vault event.
Obiena is currently working with Ayala Group’s Atletang Ayala in hosting the event, which Obiena hopes will help open doors for more athletics competitions in the country.
“Ayala is proud to partner with EJ for an event that celebrates Filipino excellence and marks the successes of our sporting heroes. Through this pole vault challenge, we hope to bring Filipinos together in encouraging sporting participation, inspiring future athletes and making us proud as a nation,” Ayala Corporation Executive Director Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said.
While organizers remained coy in revealing more details on competitors as well as how people can catch the event, Obiena expressed excitement in holding the competition which will mark his first competition in front of a home crowd since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Obiena is currently in season and will compete next at the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco this weekend.