EJ Obiena's dream finally turns into a reality as Olympians and top-tier athletes head to the Philippines for a world-class international pole vault competition this weekend!
Fresh out of the Paris Olympics in 2024, Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena shared his long-time dream to the public: to host an international pole vault event in the Philippines.
It was a dream not just for himself but the entire nation. Obiena wanted to bring over his friends from the sport to his home country, excite Filipino sports fans through an elite-level competition, and show that the Philippines can be a great host to a global sporting event.
“I will try to get the Olympic finalists and have a really good competition in the Philippines. I think the country deserves that,” Obiena told reporters then.
This weekend, that dream is finally coming true. And the nation is in for a historic treat.
Obiena and eight of his pole vault friends, among them Olympians and world championship medalists, are set to take flight at the Ayala Triangle on September 21 for the first-ever international pole vault competition on Philippine soil.
It’s the climax to Obiena’s 2025 season—a bright spot for the dedicated athlete despite bowing out of the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Because not only will he earn ranking points, he’ll also get to play international-level competition before a home crowd. And there’s nothing like the roar of Filipinos cheering for their very own.
“More than experiencing this event myself, I’m excited to give this experience to Filipino sports fans. Like I 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 the world.
Pole vaulters flying in for the weekend event include World No. 5 Ersu Sasma from Turkey and World No. 6 Menno Vloon from the Netherlands, France’s Thibaut Collet (No. 12), Belgium’s Ben Broeders (No. 13), American Austin Miller (No. 14), Poland’s Piotr Lisek (No. 15), Germany’s Oleg Zernikel (No. 16), and USA’s Matt Ludwig (No. 23).
The competition is happening just over two months since Obiena launched the event in a presser on July 7, with the Ayala Foundation and the MVP Sports Foundation on board. The two organizations share Obiena’s goal of inspiring Filipino athletes towards global ambitions, and uplifting Philippine sports as a whole.
At the time of the announcement, Obiena made an open call for organizations and individuals to help him mount the event.
Today, the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge is supported by 32 companies, each with their own respective contributions to make the event possible. It is also supported by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and global athletics organizations World Athletics and Asian Athletics.
Indeed, when Obiena called, they responded with “bayanihan,” embodying that quintessential Filipino spirit of coming together as a community in times of need. And together, they are making Philippine sports history.
“It’s just been over 70 days since we announced this event. I can’t believe we’re just a couple of days away. I’m so grateful to everyone who pitched in. I’m blown away by the support that we’ve received, and I cannot wait to see everyone at the Ayala Triangle!” said Obiena.
The Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge will happen on September 21, 2025 at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City. The event will be aired on RPTV and livestreamed via the Pilipinas Live App and One Sports' YouTube channel, with catchup airing available on One Sports, and One Sports+.
For more information about the event, visit https://worldpolevaultph.com/.