Ian Paolo Villacencio 

Philippine pole vault sensation and world no. 4 Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is set to make history on home soil as he brings the world’s elite vaulters to the country for the inaugural Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, slated for September 20–21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.

Photo Courtesy of Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters.

In a press conference on July 7, Obiena announced that the World Athletics-sanctioned event will offer ranking points and is expected to draw some of the sport’s top names, including reigning Olympic and world champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden.

The international showdown was initially set to debut last year but was postponed due to a serious back injury that sidelined Obiena, cutting short his season and ambitions.

"This event is something like a baby of mine, that I can finally see through. I’m not gonna miss this for the world," he stressed.

Now fully recovered and in peak form, Obiena is preparing to leap before a home crowd for the first time in such a major global competition—a moment he describes as both thrilling and humbling.

“Of course I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” the Filipino vaulter emphasized.

Beyond personal achievement, the event signals a landmark moment for Philippine athletic, offering local fans a rare front-row seat to world-class competition and spotlighting the country as a rising hub for elite sporting events.