By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Up-and-coming Filipino pole vaulters take center stage on Saturday, Sept. 20, when the National Pole Vault Competition ushers in the two-day affair Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City.
National champion Hokett Delos Santos and PH team member Janry Ubas banner the men’s division of the tournament that serves as a prelude to the main event on Sunday, Sept. 21, that features some of the world’s best pole vaulters that include two-time Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena
Delos Santos, one of the national athletes being touted to follow the footsteps of Obiena, has competed in decathlon, hurdles, long jump and high jump. He won the silver medal behind Obiena at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
Ubas, for his part, is a national record holder in long jump who also competes in pole vault, heptathlon and decathlon.
Also seeing action in the men’s side are Sean Harry Narag, Mejen Sumbongan, John Philip Villar and Enzo Sison.
National champion and SEA Games medalist Alyana Nicolas, meanwhile, banners the field in the distaff side that also has Jia Kawachi, Jessa Marie Libres, Khrizzie Ruzol, Isabella Louie Sta. Maria, Riezel Buenaventura and Fil-Am Amy Christensen.
