HOKETT Delos Santos captured the National Pole Vault Competition to earn a spot in Sunday’s Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle in Makati.
Delos Santos topped the competition after reaching 5.00 meters amid rainy conditions in the street vaulting competition that serves as a prelude to the World Pole Vault Challenge headlining Filipino star pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The reigning UAAP champion missed his lone attempt at 5.20 meters that would have surpassed his personal best of 5.15 he set last year in the one of the editions of the PATAFA Weekly Relays.
National team veteran Janry Ubas got the silver with a 4.45, taking second place via countback, while Mejen Sombongan took the bronze with a 4.45.
Enzo Sison, Sean Harry Narag, and John Philip Villar registered 4.25 meters.
The 22-year-old Delos Santos admitted he was looking forward to watching – not competing – in Sunday’s festivities where some of the best pole vaulters in the world led by Obiena and world No. 5 Ersu Sasma are competing.
It was only after the competition where Obiena announced that the winner of Saturday’s competition will return the following the day.
“Honestly po, hindi ako excited masyado sa competition kasi mas naeexcite ako manood at makita ‘yung mga big names sa pole vaulting,” said Delos Santos. “Hindi ko po inaasahan na maglalaro pala ako sa international. Sinabihan ako ni coach na i-reserve mo ‘yung energy mo for tomorrow kaya nag-one try lang ako sa 5.20.”
Delos Santos said he will look to surpass his personal best on Sunday against the world’s finest.
“Nakakakatuwa na may kasamang kaba kasi five-meter plus jumper lang ako, 5.15, 5.20, then lalaro ako sa mga close to six meters. So parang anong mangyayari sa akin bukas nito,” said Delos Santos, laughing.
“Pero masaya po na kasama po ako sa event bukas. Para rin makapag-attempt ng maganda gandang height,” he added.
Alyana Nicolas reasserted her supremacy by winning the women’s side. The two-time national champion and bronze medalist in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games cleared the bar at 3.80 meters to take gold over Amy Christensen, who registered 3.70 meters.
“It was such an honor to compete in front of the home crowd. My goal was the bar I was trying at (4.00 meters). I had a really good attempt at the second attempt but I fell short. Otherwise, I’m pretty proud of how I showed up and perform today,” said Nicolas.
Jessa Libres had 3.40 followed by Jia Kawachi with 3.40, Riezel Buenaventura with 3.20, Ma. Khrizzie Ruzol with 3.20, and Isabella Sta. Maria with 3.00.
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