EJ Obiena says international pole vault event to take place in the PH this September
A world-class pole vault event will finally take place in the Philippines later this year.
Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena announced that the international pole vault event, dubbed "Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge," is set to be held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on Sept. 20 to 21. It will follow the World Athletics Championships from Sept. 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
“This has been a lifelong event of mine—bringing such a level of event to the country,” he said in an online press conference on Monday, July 7.
The pole vault event will follow a street vaulting format, and is sanctioned by World Athletics and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.
It will be graced by some of the world’s top pole vaulters, per Obiena. Last year, the athlete said he was hoping to invite Germany's Oleg Zernikel as well as world record holder and gold medalist Mondo Duplantis of Sweden to the affair.
“I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Obiena said. “This is something I’ve been pushing. I’m thankful it's finally happening. This event is something like a baby of mine.”
The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 20 last year, but Obiena had to postpone it due to his spine injury that also forced him to conclude his entire 2024 season.
“This has been a dream—to bring a world-class event to the Philippines. I hope this could inspire future generations of athletes,” Obiena said, adding that he also aims to showcase the capability of the country to host prestigious international-level competitions like such.
More details about the event have yet to be announced.
Obiena is a pole vault star who is currently the world's no. 4 in men's pole vault. He placed fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and currently holds the Asian record, 6.00m, which he cleared at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
He recently took home three gold medals at the Asian Athletics Championships last May in South Korea.
He is set to compete at the Meeting Herculis EBS - Wanda Diamond League set for July 11 in Monaco.
