Frenchman Thibaut Collet seeks to have a great experience in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati this Sunday.
After placing fifth in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last week, the 26-year-old Collet ended up with having one of the best finishes with his performance during the meet in clearing 5.90 meters.This year, the no. 12 ranked Collet has gone up to 5.91 meters, which he did in a local meet in France last February. In another local event last year, he soared past 5.95 meters.
This encouraged to him to want to “jump in a crazy place” and discover what’s in store here (at the Atletang Ayala), according to Collet during a meet-and-greet.
He seeks a podium finish in the company of world no. 6 Menno Vloon of the Netherlands and Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen, who were tied with Collet during the World Championships.
Vloon, currently ranked World No. 6, also made it to Manila, as he seeks to connect with Filipinos during his visit.
“I’m excited to experience the energy and atmosphere of competing in the pole vault in the Philippines. It’s always special to jump in a new environment, and I’m looking forward to connecting with the local athletics’ community, feeling the crowd’s support, and hopefully putting down some great heights,” said Vloon, who brings with him the experience he got as the 2025 European Indoor Champion.
Filipino star Ernest John Obiena is ready to compete with the world’s best as well. Now ranked no. 7 in the world, Obiena expressed his excitement even after he missed qualification on the first day of the world meet last week.
“It’s finally happening! I can’t wait for Filipino sports fans to witness world-class pole vaulting right in the heart of the city,” said Obiena.
The 29-year-old Obiena cleared 5.55 meters for 11th spot in Group A, off the cutoff height of 5.80 meters.
Sanctioned by the World Athletics Continental Tour-Bronze Category, the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge is set to transform the Ayala Triangle into a world-class sports venue, hosting Olympic-caliber athletes from around the world.
Other pole vaulters who are already here for the weekend event include World No. 5 Ersu Sasma from Turkey, Belgium’s Ben Broeders (No. 13), American Austin Miller (No. 14), Poland’s Piotr Lisek (No. 15), Germany’s Oleg Zernikel (No. 16), and USA’s Matt Ludwig (No. 23).
The competition will be held with the support of the Ayala Foundation and the MVP Sports Foundation on board.
The two organizations share Obiena’s goal of inspiring Filipino athletes towards global ambitions, and uplifting Philippine sports as a whole.
