EJ Obiena caps roller-coaster season with storybook home victory

EJ Obiena couldn’t have scripted a better ending. After the heartbreak of missing the finals at the World Athletics Championships just a week ago, the country’s pole vault star found redemption on home soil, winning gold at the World Pole Vault Challenge before a roaring crowd at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City on Sunday.

“All these guys actually had a good season. I think every one of you guys beat me in the World Championship in Tokyo a few days ago. I’m still happy for a bit of a comeback win,” said the 29-year-old Obiena, who remains the world’s No. 7 pole vaulter.

Obiena cleared 5.80 meters on his second attempt to edge out Thibaut Collet of France, who managed the same height but only on his third and final try. The Filipino vaulted to victory on countback, securing what he himself called a “fairy tale finish” to his turbulent 2025 campaign.

The triumph was even sweeter as it came in the inaugural staging of the event that Obiena himself envisioned — a competition designed to showcase world-class pole vaulting in the Philippines. 

It also matched his season-best clearance, which he had previously hit at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in February, the Philippine Pole Vault Challenge in May, and Meeting Madrid in July.

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HE KNEW!

EJ Obiena comes to the aid of Thibault Collet after he missed the 5.90m bar for the third time and immediately celebrated knowing he won the event’s gold medal. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/NExapAKNYB

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 21, 2025

The home crowd erupted when Obiena nailed the 5.80m jump, knowing he had taken control. Collet extended the contest by converting the bar on his last attempt, but the advantage already belonged to the Filipino.

“I’m happy. I’m thankful. I was at the mercy of Thibaut today,” Obiena admitted. “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.”

The competition drew some of the sport’s elite, with World No. 5 Ersu Sasma of Turkey settling for fourth at 5.45m, alongside American Matt Ludwig at the same height. Germany’s Oleg Zernikel and USA’s Austin Miller cleared 5.30m, while Menno Vloom of the Netherlands registered a no-mark after failing to surpass 5.45m. Belgium’s Ben Broeders withdrew due to a back injury.

Filipino Hokett Delos Santos, who earned his spot after winning the National Pole Vault Competition the day before, bowed out after missing the 4.80m bar.

Obiena’s latest win not only salvaged a challenging year but also gave Filipino fans a moment to remember — a champion’s resilience on full display, punctuated by a victory in his own backyard.

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