Filipino star Ernest John Obiena is ready for the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.
“Can’t wait to compete in-front of a home crowd!!! Hope to see you all there,” said Obiena on Instagram.
“Two days of street pole vaulting in the heart of the city! We would have the first-ever street pole vault competition in the country at Ayala Triangle Gardens,” added Obiena of the event slated Sept. 20 and 21.
Obiena, now ranked no. 7 in the world, expressed his excitement after he missed qualification on the first day of the 2025 World Athletics Championship on Friday evening in Tokyo, Japan.
The 29-year-old Obiena cleared 5.55 meters for 11th spot in Group A and off the cutoff height of 5.80 meters.
Only the top 12 earned a seat in the biennial meet.
Swedish standout Armand Duplantis made it to the final round in his bracket with American Sam Kendricks, Emmanouel Karalis of Greece, Norwegian Sondre Guttormsen.
Also making it are Kurtis Marschall, Bo Baehre, Rene Lavillenie and Ersu Sasma, after hitting 5.75 meters.
Qualifying in Group B are Dutch bets Menno Vloon and Thibaut Collet, Ethan Cormont of France and Seifeldin Adesalam of Qatar.
The finals will commence on Sunday evening (Manila time).
