THREE big names from the world’s list of top pole vaulters are heading to the Philippines to compete in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge slated from September 20 to 21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.
Dutch bet Menno Vloon and American standouts Austin Miller and Matt Ludwig have signed up for the tournament initiated by Filipino pole vault superstar Ernest John Obiena.
The world no. 7 Vloon is the 2025 European Indoor Champion, while
the no. 14 Miller is the reigning US national titleholder expected to bring a competitive spirit to the meet.
Ludwig, at no. 25 in the world, is also expected to be in great form, after having qualified for this year’s world championship.
Coming back from his campaign in the Diamond League in Europe this weekend, Obiena is also competing.
Obiena, whose rankings have dropped to no. 5 in the world, last competed in Madrid in July, taking home a silver off his 5.80-meter performance.
Obiena’s team of organizers 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 in this undertaking.
It is still unclear if world’s no. 1 Armand Duplantis, who is also invited, is coming.
Duplantis recently took home his 15th gold medal this year with his 6.0-meter leap at Diamond League’s Weltklasse leg in Sechseläutenplatz, Zürich
The competition is set right after the World Athletics Championships from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
Also among those invited are world no. 2 Emmanouil Karalis, Sam Kendricks, Kurtis Marschall and Erso Sasma.
Obiena said that the event has the nod World Athletics, with ranking points being given away during the event.
