Top-ranked athletes to join Obiena in World Pole Vault Challenge

Metro Manila, Philippines - Two pole vaulters ranked within the world's top 10 will join EJ Obiena in a World Athletics-sanctioned pole vault competition in the country this month.

Obiena, who is currently world no. 7, will participate in the World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City on Sept. 20 and 21.

Headlining the event as well will be Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, world no. 5, and Netherlands’ Menno Vloon, world no. 6.

Spectators will also see French Thibaut Collet (No. 12), Belgian Ben Broeders (No. 13), Polish Piotr Lisek (No. 15), and German Oleg Zernikel (No. 16) in action.

The seven athletes displayed their world-class skills during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics with Obiena emerging outside the podium in 4th place, Sasma 5th, Zernikel 9th, and Vloon 11th.

Austin Miller (No. 14) and Matt Ludwig (No. 23) from the US are also set to compete.

Obiena announced the competition in July to showcase the country’s ability to host such international athletic events.

Tickets for the event will be raffled off for free.