As expected, two national team standouts dominated the field at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge for local athletes on Saturday at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City.
Two-time UAAP champion Hokkett Delos Santos and two-time national champion Alyana Nicolas claimed first place in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, posting the best heights of the afternoon in this tournament sanctioned by the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Representing the University of Santo Tomas, Delos Santos cleared a field-best 5.00 meters — 55 centimeters higher than fellow national athlete Janry Ubas and Thomasian Mejen Sombongan, who both cleared 4.45 meters.
After missing his first attempt at 5.00 meters, the 22-year-old Delos Santos succeeded on his second try.
He then attempted a personal best of 5.20 meters but fell short, ultimately securing the gold medal.
Ubas earned silver, edging out Sombongan on countback, while Enzo Sison and John Philip Villar, along with Sean Harry Narag, completed the men’s field with best clearances of 4.25 meters.
In the women’s division, Nicolas topped fellow FilAm Amy Christensen with a one-time clearance of 3.80 meters.
With the gold already secured, the 31-year-old Nicolas attempted to surpass her personal best of 4.00 meters but was unsuccessful, still adding another title to her name.
Christensen finished second with a best clearance of 3.70 meters, while former Ateneo standout Jia Kawachi and UST’s Jess Marie Libres shared bronze, each clearing 3.40 meters.
Riezel Buenaventura and Ma. Khrizzie Ruzol followed at 3.20 meters, with Isabella Sta. Maria completing the women’s field at 3.00 meters.
Tomorrow, world-class pole vaulters will take the stage, led by two-time World Championships medalist EJ Obiena.
Other top competitors include Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, Germany’s Oleg Zernikel, and Belgium’s Ben Broeders.
