Ernest John Obiena will be hosting a constellation of pole vault stars when the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge fires off on 20 and 21 September at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
Obiena said he is thrilled to bring the world’s best vaulters closer to Filipinos in a World Athletics-sanctioned event that will be held after the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Nobody has yet to confirm, but stars like world record-holder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, Paris Olympics silver medalist Christopher Nilsen and Emmanouil Karalis are expected to join together with giants like Sam Kendricks, Curtis Marschall, Menno Vloon, KC Lightfoot, and Piotr Lisek.
Obiena’s training partners under Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov in Chinese Bokai Huang and Hussain Asim Al-Hizam are also expected to support the star-studded endeavor.
“We’re inviting the top pole vaulters. The dates are strategically placed after the World Championships so we can expect high-ranking athletes,” Obiena said in a press conference yesterday.
“We’re gonna announce it as the competition dates come closer.”
Obiena said he is looking forward to perform in front of local fans right in the heart of the Metro Manila’s Central Business District.
“Of course, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Obiena said.
“This is something I’ve been pushing. I’m thankful it’s finally happening. This event is something like a baby of mine, that I can finally see through.”
Obiena another objective of the friendly duel is to give foreign vaulters a chance to relax while enjoying the world-class Filipino hospitality since it will be the final event of the grueling outdoor season.
“It's not that hard to convince these guys to come to the Philippines. It's, I mean, what's not to love in the Philippines? It's the last competition of the season for the pole vaulters,” Obiena said.
"We have so many beautiful islands in the Philippines. Therefore, I think it's not that difficult to convince them. That's why we strategically place the date after the World Championships."
Obiena said his team has been keeping him posted on updates while he was training in Italy.
“It takes a lot of planning but I think with the right partners and the right people, it definitely is executable,” said Obiena, who will be heading to Monaco for a Diamond League leg on 12 July.
“I can still focus on training. It's not the first time I'm dealing with something else and then pole vaulting and I think it's actually a good thing for me.”