Get to know the athletes competing in the World Pole Vault Challenge in the Philippines

World-class athletes are heading to the Philippines for the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, which will be held on September 21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

Filipino Olympian and world No. 7 EJ Obiena spearheads the event as he aims to bring pole vault closer to Filipinos.

Here are the athletes competing in the tournament:

Ersu Sasma (Turkey)

• World Ranking: 5
• Major Achievement(s): Bronze – 2024 European Championships

Menno Vloon (Netherlands)

• World Ranking: 6
• Major Achievement(s): Gold – 2025 European Indoor Championships

EJ Obiena (Philippines)

• World Ranking: 7
• Major Achievement(s):
  • Silver – 2023 World Championships
  • Bronze – 2022 World Championships
  • Gold – 2022 Asian Games
  • Gold – Asian Championships (2019, 2023, 2025)
  • Bronze – 2017 Asian Championships

Thibaut Collet (France)

• World Ranking: 12
• Major Achievement(s): Bronze – 2023 European Games

Ben Broeders (Belgium)

• World Ranking: 13
• Major Achievement(s): Gold – 2017 European U23 Championships

Austin Miller (USA)

• World Ranking: 14
• Major Achievement(s):
  • Gold – 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships
  • Bronze – 2024 USATF Indoor Championships

Piotr Lisek (Poland)

• World Ranking: 15
• Major Achievement(s):
  • Silver – 2017 World Championships
  • Bronze – 2015 & 2019 World Championships
  • Bronze – 2016 & 2018 World Indoor Championships
  • Gold – 2017 European Indoor Championships
  • Silver – 2019 & 2023 European Indoor Championships
  • Bronze – 2015 & 2021 European Indoor Championships

Oleg Zernikel (Germany)

• World Ranking: 16
• Major Achievement(s): Bronze – 2024 European Championships

Matt Ludwig (USA)

• World Ranking: 23
• Major Achievement(s): Gold – 2023 Pan American Games

Aside from international athletes, local athletes will compete at the National Pole Vault Competition on September 20.

Here are the athletes:

Men's Division

• Hokett Delos Santos
• Sean Harry Narag
• Mejen Sumbongan
• Janry Ubas
• John Philip Villar
• Enzo Sison

Women's Division:

• Riezel Buenaventura
• Khrizzie Clarisse Ruzol
• Jessa Marie Libres
• Isabella Louise Sta. Maria
• Jiamari Kawachi
• Alyana Nicolas
• Amy Christensen

—JKC, GMA Integrated News