EJ Obiena hopes home events like Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge can become annual

EJ Obiena was over the moon moments after the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge  wrapped up on Sunday, Sept. 21.

But it wasn’t just because he won the gold medal in what was easily his best performance this season.

The world no. 7 was giddy because the event also marked a dream fulfilled.

Speaking to reporters after besting Thibault Collet of France on the field, Obiena said the event he helped put together even surpassed his expectations.

“My dream [was] to have this to a much smaller scale to be honest. I’m really surprised with how big the crowd is,” said Obiena, who cleared 5.80m and won via countback against Collet.

[Related: EJ Obiena comes home to rule Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge]

Filipino fans trooped to Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati, giving the unheralded sport a spotlight it deserves.

That alone meant a great deal to Obiena, who’s had a rocky journey after narrowly missing the podium in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

EJ Obiena wins gold in front of a adoring home crowd. Photo: RM Chua

“It’s a bit poetic. It gave me a good show at the expense of my nerves and my heart and my reputation,” he said with a smile.

“But it is the sports. It couldn’t have been a better ending to my season.”

With a top-notched staging of his home meet, Obiena is hopeful this won’t be the last on his home turf.

“Hopefully everybody who organized this is happy and we’ll get a Part 2, Part 3, maybe have this every year,” he said. 

“Now we have these athletes to say how good the Philippines is. So hopefully next time we’ll bring much more, maybe the women’s as well.”

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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.