Ayala Pole Vault challenge marks turning point for Hokett Delos Santos, Says EJ Obiena

Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena capped off a turbulent 2025 season on a high note, winning gold at the inaugural World Pole Vault Challenge held at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City on Sunday.

Just a week removed from the heartbreak of missing the finals at the World Athletics Championships, Obiena bounced back in front of a passionate home crowd, clearing 5.80 meters on his second attempt. The mark matched that of Thibaut Collet of France, but Obiena claimed victory via countback, as Collet needed three tries to clear the same height.

“It was a fairy tale finish,” said Obiena, who matched his season-best mark for the fourth time this year.

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The gold medal was made even more special by the setting: Obiena had long envisioned bringing a world-class pole vault event to Philippine soil, and this inaugural staging of the World Pole Vault Challenge fulfilled that dream.

The event also featured rising Filipino talent Hokett Delos Santos, who got his first taste of elite international competition. While the reigning UAAP pole vault champion failed to register a height—recording a “no mark”—his participation was seen as an important developmental milestone.

“It’s a really good opportunity for him, even though the result didn’t go the way he wanted,” Obiena told media. “What we lack in the Philippines compared to these top guys is real competition. This event changes that.”

Hockett Delos Santos makes his first jump, clears 4.65m at the #AtletangAyala National Pole Vault Competition.

He is coached by EJ Obiena’s dad, Emerson Obiena. pic.twitter.com/0lA9X5J4FB

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) September 20, 2025

“This is the biggest pole vault event ever held in the country — even bigger than the Southeast Asian Games or Asian Games in terms of quality. It’s world-class.”

Delos Santos, coached by Obiena’s father Emerson Obiena, is considered one of the heirs to the Filipino pole vault throne, alongside Elijah Cole. He won silver at the 2022 Southeast Asian Games and is expected to lead the national team in future competitions.

Obiena emphasized that stepping onto the runway with elite vaulters is invaluable for a young athlete like Delos Santos.

“He might’ve been intimidated — I know I was when I first competed in Europe. But you learn. You see that these guys may look different, but we can jump just like them. We belong.”

With Delos Santos preparing for the upcoming UAAP season in November and the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December, Obiena believes this experience will serve as a stepping stone.

“The whole idea is to expose him to this level. So when he steps into the SEA Games or Asian Games, he’s not overwhelmed. He’ll know how to handle the nerves.”

Obiena, a three-time SEA Games gold medalist, also confirmed he is open to skipping this year’s edition to give way to younger national teammates — provided they are ready to win gold.

“If Hokett or Elijah proves they can win, I’m happy to step aside. That’s the goal — to develop the next generation of champions,” he concluded.

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