Obiena equalizes season-best to rule Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge

After an early exit in the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Ernest John Obiena found his rhythm again as he matched his personal season-best to bag the gold in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City, September 21.

World No. 7 Obiena cleared the 5.80-meter mark, tying the season-best he first set at the Orlen Copernicus Cup last February 16, to defeat top pole vaulters.

“I’m really happy with this win. It’s a really good way to end the season and a fairytale finish, I would say,” Obiena said in an article published by the Manila Bulletin.

The 29-year-old pole vaulter easily cleared the 5.45m and repeated the feat at 5.60m.

After successfully clearing 5.70m and 5.80m in two attempts, Obiena tried to surpass his season-best by attempting 5.85m twice and 5.90m once but fell short.

French Olympian Thibaut Collet, meanwhile, took the silver medal after also clearing 5.80m but settled for second place via countback, as he needed three attempts to reach the height.

World No. 15 Piotr Lisek of Poland completed the podium with a 5.60m clearance.