Ayala Land Welcomes Olympic Pole Vaulter EJ Obiena After His Gold Medal Triumph at the 2023 Asian Games

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) the Philippines' largest full-line property developer, extended a warm and triumphant welcome to EJ Obiena, the country's esteemed Olympic pole vaulter, who has returned home fresh from his gold medal victory at the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China.

The event took place at a gathering attended by Ayala Land Chairman, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Bernard Vincent Dy, who reaffirmed the company’s support for the award-winning athlete in his journey towards the Paris 2024 Olympics.EJ Obiena soared to victory at the 2023 Asian Games, solidifying his status as one of the world’s premier pole vaulters. Obiena, ranked second in the world in pole vaulting, secured his inaugural championship at the Asian Games by setting a new record for the event, clearing a height of 5.90 meters.At the gathering, Ayala Land Chairman, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, expressed his pride in EJ Obiena’s achievements. “EJ, your journey to success is an inspiration to all of us. Your resilience, determination, and commitment to excellence are qualities that we admire. We hope that this relationship will continue, and you get the kind of results that you come through with,” Zobel de Ayala said.Obiena, in response to the warm welcome and support from Ayala Land, expressed his gratitude and excitement for the upcoming challenges on the road to the Paris 2023 Olympics. He said, “I am deeply grateful to Ayala Land. I was in great need of support and Ayala came rushing in and made sure that I was able to do what I needed to do… I got a lot stronger, a lot faster (in training camps) and I wouldn’t have been able to go there without Ayala Land helping me out. This really did change my trajectory for this season.”As part of its support, ALI provides resources so Obiena can participate in training camps internationally. The athlete also has access to ALI developments like the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub when in the Philippines.“For next year, we already have plans of where to go and for the first time we’re not thinking if we will get approved to be able to do what we need to do. With that peace of mind, I am able to focus more on my sport,” Obiena said. “There’s always flexibility for my end to be able to do what needs to be done. That is the biggest contribution of Ayala to my journey, to this mission,” he added.Obiena is currently taking a break before he resumes training. When in the country, his official training ground is the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH) which recently attained certification for its football field and is the only pitch with a valid FIFA-certification in the country. AVSH aims to be a one-stop-shop for all amateur and professional athletes who require a credible and safe place for them to train and hone their skills.Obiena is also a Flatmate at ALI’s co-living space, The Flats. EJ expressed appreciation for The Flats’ convenience and accessibility, as well as events like the Car-Free Sunday Mornings at Ayala Ave. which promote wellness among Makatizens and the surrounding community.As EJ Obiena embarks on his journey towards the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ayala Land remains committed to being a partner in his success story. The company’s support for EJ Obiena reflects its dedication to uplifting local talent, fostering excellence, and contributing to the Philippines’ sporting legacy on the global stage.