INVITES have been sent to the world’s top pole vaulters, including no. 1 Armand “Mondo” Duplantis to come to the Philippines and compete in a world-class event.
Filipino pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena said this on Monday in an online press conference, announcing that an international meet known as the “Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge” is set to be held from September 20 to 21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.
Obiena, who is in Italy and will will be seeing action in the Monaco leg of the Diamond League this weekend, said it has been his dream to organize and join an event like this in the Philippines.
“It has been my lifelong dream to mount a world-class sporting event in my homeland to showcase Filipino talent and make the nation proud. Now, it’s finally happening. I call on my kababayans to come together and support this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said the 29-year-old Asian champ.
The country’s top pole vaulter is organizing the meet with his team of coaches and consultants.
Obiena’s team has gotten the support of Atletang Ayala, the Ayala Group of Companies, the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association for this undertaking.
“Ayala is proud to partner with EJ for an event that celebrates Filipino excellence and marks the successes of our sporting heroes. Through this pole vault challenge, we hope to bring Filipinos together in encouraging sporting participation, inspiring future athletes and making us proud as a nation,” said Ayala Corporation Executive Director Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala.
Atletang Ayala program head Jasmine Alkhaldi, a former national swimmer, added that their group is all out in their support for the staging for the event.
“Hosting this sporting competition is an incredible milestone for the Philippines,” said Alkhaldi.
The Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge will follow a street vaulting format. It is officially sanctioned by the World Athletics Continental Tour-Bronze category, aligned with rigorous global standards for competition, athlete eligibility, and event organization. It is also supported by global athletics organizations World Athletics and Asian Athletics.
Also among those invited are world no. 2 Emmanouil Karalis, Sam Kendricks, Kurtis Marschall, Erso Sasma and Menno Vloon.
Duplantis recently saw action in the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon and won the gold at six meters. He is the current world record holder at 6.28 meters and the winner of seven senior global titles.
The world no. 4 Obiena will join Duplantis when both of them compete in Monaco this weekend.
