The heart of Makati’s business district is about to transform into an arena of world-class athletics as Filipino pole vault sensation EJ Obiena takes center stage at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday, September 21, at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.
For Obiena, the world’s No. 7-ranked vaulter, this is more than just a competition. It is a homecoming of sorts—a chance to share with his countrymen the same thrill he experienced when he soared to his first Southeast Asian Games gold medal in New Clark City back in 2019.
“More than experiencing this event myself, I’m excited to give this experience to Filipino sports fans,” said Obiena, who has battled back from a spine injury that cut short his 2024 season. “The country deserves this. Filipinos deserve to enjoy this level of competition, to have something to cheer for.”
And cheer they will, as the world’s elite vaulters descend upon Manila. Among those joining Obiena are Ersu Sasma of Turkey (World No. 5, 2024 European Championships bronze medalist) and Menno Vloon of the Netherlands (World No. 6, 2025 European Indoor champion). Other standouts include France’s Thibaut Collet, Belgium’s Ben Broeders, Americans Austin Miller and Matt Ludwig, Poland’s veteran Piotr Lisek, and Germany’s Oleg Zernikel—all within the world’s top 30 rankings.
The lineup reads like a roll call of champions: Lisek, a decorated pole vaulter with multiple world and European medals; Miller, fresh from winning the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships; and Vloon, a reigning European indoor champion. Each brings his own flair and pedigree, setting the stage for a showdown under Makati’s skyline.
For Obiena, this meet is the culmination of both vision and perseverance. Originally planned for last year, the Challenge was postponed when he suffered a spine injury. Now, with his health restored, he returns not only to compete but to inspire—using the event as a platform to raise the profile of athletics in the Philippines.
