UAAP champion Hokett Delos Santos will compete against world no. 7 EJ Obiena and eight others in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge.
Hokett Delos Santos was almost at a loss for words after learning he is competing against EJ Obiena and other world-class athletes in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge.
This after the UAAP champion was announced as the surprise addition for topping the National Pole Vault Competition on Saturday, Sept. 20.
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Delos Santos is as excited as he is nervous, as he is set to go up against the likes of Ersu Sasma, Menno Vloon, and Thibaut Collet for Sunday’s main event.
“Nakakatuwa na may kasamang kaba kasi parang 5m plus jumper lang ako, then lalaro ako sa mga close to 6m. Sabi ko, ‘anong mangyayari sakin bukas nito?’” he said with a nervous laugh.
Delos Santos cleared 5 meters, just .15 short of his personal-best, at the Ayala Triangle where the Worlds will also be held.
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The silver medalist in the 2021 SEA Games was supposed to go for 5.20m, but decided against it upon the advice of his coach Emerson Obiena, EJ’s father.
He bested Janry Ubas, Sean Harry Narag, Mejen Sombongan, and Enzo Sison.
“Pero masaya po na kasama po ako sa event bukas. Then para rin makapag-attempt ng maganda-gandang height po,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.