For the first time since 2019, top Pinoy pole vaulter EJ Obiena will compete before his home crowd at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge against some of the world’s best leapers.
EJ Obiena is finally coming home.
The country’s top pole vaulter looks forward to performing before Filipino fans once again at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, marking his first local competition in six years.
“I really want to compete in front of a home crowd. It’s different. It’s something magnificent and magical,” Obiena said on One PH's Power and Play with Kom Noli Eala , reflecting on the chance to feel the energy of a home crowd again.
The last time Obiena soared in front of a home crowd was during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, where he claimed the first of his two SEA Games gold medals.
Now, the world No. 7 leaper is set to headline a star-studded field of elite vaulters at Ayala Triangle Gardens on September 20–21.
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Beyond chasing marks and medals, Obiena said the upcoming meet is also an opportunity to inspire the next generation.
“We now have an opportunity to see a live pole vault competition, and hopefully, there are a few kids watching who would say, ‘I want to try that,’” he said.
Besides Obiena, reigning European champion and World No. 5 Ersu Sasma will also see action, along with former Olympian and World No. 6 Menno Vloon of the Netherlands.
That means three of the top 10 pole vaulters in the world will compete in the inaugural event.The field also includes Thibaut Collet of France, Ben Broeders of Belgium, Austin Miller of the United States, Piotr Lisek of Poland, Oleg Zernikel of Germany, and Matt Ludwig of the U.S.A.
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“We want to bring the best of the best to the Philippines. These guys are champions in their own right, and I think it’s gonna be fun to compete against them,” Obiena said.
The Pinoy athlete added that he, along with other world-class vaulters, will hold a meet-and-greet session with fans to bring the sport closer to Filipinos as admission will be free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Obiena marked his return from a two-month break with a bronze medal at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Beijing, China.
The reigning Asian Games champion cleared 5.65 meters to land on the podium, his first appearance since the Meeting de Madrid in Spain last July.