LOOK: Here are the world-class athletes joining EJ Obiena's international pole vault event in September

The first batch of pole vaulters who are joining EJ Obiena's upcoming world-class pole vault event has been unveiled.

World's No. 7 Menno Vloon of The Netherlands, No. 14 Austin Miller, and No. 25 Matt Ludwig of the USA are among the confirmed athletes who are set to compete at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sept. 21 at Ayala Triangle, Makati City.

Vloon is a 2025 European Indoor Champion and a 2021 Dutch National Record Holder with a personal best of 5.96, while Miller is a 2025 USA National Pole Vault Champion with a 5.92 personal best.

Ludwig, meanwhile, has competed in the Tokyo Olympics and is a 2023 Pan American Gold Medalist. His personal best is 5.90, which he secured in 2020.

Sanctioned by World Athletics and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, the pole vault event will have a street vaulting format and will follow the World Athletics Championships from Sept. 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.

The sports affair 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 during his press conference in July, adding that he also aims to showcase the capability of the country to host prestigious international-level competitions like this.

The event is open to the public. Other details, including the ticketing mechanics and livestream details, have yet to be announced.

Obiena is a pole vault star currently ranked the world's No. 5 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.