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Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena in action at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge. Handout/Cignal

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena in action at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge.

Article (news)

Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17584492205502025_WORLDPOLEVAULTCHALLENGE-2356_embed.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena in action at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge. Handout/Cignal"/>Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena in action at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge. Handout/Cignal</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena put on a show in front of his home fans, ruling the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday at the Ayala Triangle.Obiena cleared 5.80-meters on his second attempt to take first place via countback.France&#x27;s Thibaut Collet also cleared the same height but needed three tries to do so.Both Obiena and Collet missed out on the 5.90-m mark.Poland&#x27;s Piotr Lisek rounded out the podium with bronze after clearing 5.60m.The event was a dream come true for Obiena, who had expressed his wish of bringing his sport closer to Filipino fans after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/9/20/int-l-pole-vault-stars-look-forward-to-competing-in-ph-1530" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Int&#x27;l pole vault stars look forward to competing in PH</a></div>&quot;I&#x27;m so happy for a beautiful comeback win, a really good way to end the season,&quot; said Obiena, who is currently ranked seventh in the world. &quot;I think it&#x27;s one of the best jumps I&#x27;ve had this year.&quot;The two-time Olympian was grateful for the opportunity to compete at home, while also introducing more Filipinos to pole vaulting.&quot;I would say this is such a unique experience. They definitely made it so much more than what I actually dreamed of,&quot; he said. &quot;My dream is to have this to a much, much smaller scale to be honest. I am really surprised at how big the crowd is.&quot;&quot;The lines, the security. As I said, the professionalism. The field itself even is incredible. For a first time competition, you typically don&#x27;t get this,&quot; he added.While he acknowledged that there were some nerves leading up to the event, Obiena felt the spectacle was worth it.&quot;Did I have a dream? Yeah. Did I have a nightmare that almost happened? Yeah. So, I would say it&#x27;s a bit poetic. I think we gave really a good show. At the expense of my nerves and my heart and I guess my reputation. But, you know, it is the sport. I think it couldn&#x27;t have been a better ending to my season through you,&quot; he said.He is hopeful that Sunday&#x27;s event will just be the start: &quot;Now, we have these athletes to say how good the Philippines is. So, hopefully, next time, we&#x27;ll bring much more.&quot;Silver medalist Collet praised the atmosphere in Makati, calling it unlike anything he had experienced.&quot;We all know [how] it is it to have a big, big atmosphere around us. But today was really spectacular and it was beautiful and amazing.&quot;Bronze medalist Lisek was equally impressed.&quot;It was a pure pleasure to be here in front of these handsome guys. The crowd was amazing. All this event was prepared in 100% professional, so I&#x27;m glad to be here. Thank you so much,&quot; he said.

MANILA -- Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena put on a show in front of his home fans, ruling the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday at the Ayala Triangle.

MANILA -- Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena put on a show in front of his home fans, ruling the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday at the Ayala Triangle.

EJ Obiena puts on a show, rules home pole vault competition

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EJ Obiena puts on a show, rules home pole vault competition

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 21, 2025 06:10 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 21, 2025 09:00 PM PHT

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pole vault

EJ Obiena

Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge

Ayala Triangle

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