Janry Ubas relishes winning pole vault silver in PH: 'Pinakamasayang medal'

Janry Ubas has been reaping medals internationally for Philippine athletics.

He has won one gold, three silvers, and four bronzes for long jump and decathlon across multiple editions of the Southeast Asian Games, along with a bronze in the heptathlon at the 2023 Asian Indoor Championships.

But for the 31-year-old athlete, the silver medal he earned at the National Pole Vault Competition of the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge over the weekend stands out as the most special.

Ubas finished second after clearing 4.45 meters, behind gold medalist Hokett Delos Santos, who cleared 5.00 meters.

“Siguro sa lahat ng medal ko, ito ang pinakamasaya sa akin na natanggap kong medal. Silver medal, dito sa Pilipinas pa,” he said last Saturday.

“Kasi first time magkaroon ng pole vault event, so sobrang happy ako. Ramdam ko po ‘yung mga tao, nag-enjoy kanina. Doon ko naramdaman na ganito pala ‘yung feeling kapag maka-experience ka ng home crowd, tipong makatanggap ka pa ng medal.”

[I think, out of all my medals, this is the one I was happiest to receive. Not only is it a silver medal, it happened right here in the Philippines... This is the first time there was a pole vault event, so I'm so happy. I feel like all of the people enjoyed themselves. That's when I felt like this is what it feels to experience a home crowd, and to receive a medal no less.]

Ubas expressed gratitude to EJ Obiena for spearheading the event. The multi-medaled trackster also hopes the meet will inspire more people to appreciate and support athletics.

Obiena, the day after, ruled the World Pole Vault Challenge by clearing 5.80 meters.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News