EJ OBIENA celebrated a gold medal in front of his Filipino fans by ruling the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City.
Obiena hit the 5.80-meter mark on his second try to beat Thibaut Collet of France, who also made the same height but did it on his third and final attempt.
The Filipino pole vault star won via countback to close his 2025 season with a win in the competition that he initiated to bring world-class pole vaulting to the country.
He also tied his season best which he has now hit four times this year in the Orlen Copernicus Cup last February, the PATAFA Philippine Pole Vault Challenge last May, and the Meeting Madrid last July.
Drama heightens
Drama unfolded when Collet skipped to 5.90 meters, leaving Obiena all by himself to jump 5.85, which he missed on his first two attempts. Obiena later moved up to 5.90 for his final attempt which he also failed to clear.
Needing to clear the same height he registered during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo a few days ago to top the event, Collet failed to hit the mark in all of his three attempts to concede the title to Obiena to the delight of Filipino fans who braved the rains that fell in the early stages of the competition.
Obiena raised his hands and backflipped in the damp landing pit to celebrate the victory with the Filipino fans shortly after Collet missed his third and final attempt.
The Filipino crowd also went bananas when Obiena seized the advantage when he hit the 5.80m on the second jump, but Collet was able to extend the competition when he cleared the bar at that height in his third and last try.
Obiena wrapped up aroller-coaster season that saw him slip to No. 7 in the World Athletics rankings and miss the final of the World Athletics Championships where he had a silver and bronze over the last two competitions.
“I’m happy. I’m thankful. I was at the mercy of Thibaut today,” said Obiena. “These guys had a good season. I think everyone (of them) beat me in the World Championship in Tokyo a few days ago.
“I’m so happy for a bit of a comeback win, a really good way to end the season and fairy tale finish I would say.”
World No. 5 Ersu Sasma of Turkey placed fourth with 5.45 followed by Matt Ludwig of United States (5.45), Oleg Zernikel of Germany (5.30), Austin Miller of USA (5.30). Menno Vloom of Netherlands was a no-mark for failing to clear 5.45 meters, while Ben Broeders of Belgium pulled out due to a back injury.
Hokett Delos Santos, who gained a spot in the World Athletics Continental Tour – Bronze event by winning the National Pole Vault Competition on Saturday, was also a no-mark for missing the 4.80-meter height.
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