Photos and story by Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports.

tan xin yin

A new record and its proud owner – 41.87m by Tan Xin Yin. Will this record stand for the next 19 years? (Photo 1 © Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Thursday, July 3, 2008 – Tan Xin Yin of Hwa Chong Institution broke a 19-year-old javelin record when she threw 41.87m last week at the 49th National Track & Field Championships. Xie Yu Ru of the then Hwa Chong Junior College had set the previous national record of 41.20m in 1989.

Xin Yin came in a humble third last year with a distance of 32.12m. This year, she took an early lead in the competition and never looked back, improving her distance throw after throw. The other competitors were left to compete for the next seven positions in a tight contest with Xin Yin’s closest competitor more than 10m short of her throw. Amelia Chua (#66) from Raffles Junior College took the silver medal with a distance of 31.66m. This was short of her throw of 33m last year where she also won the silver medal.

The bronze medal went to Rosaline Ng (#86) also from Raffles JC, who beat Lee Wenqi of HCI by a mere 4cm. Rosaline threw for 30.40m.

Xin Yin’s throw was a culmination of hours of hard work, excellent technique, immense power and the right conditions. Nobody saw this coming even though a few of Xin Yin’s earlier throws elicited applause from various coaches standing near the arena.

When Xin Yin’s javelin left her fingers for that last flight, everybody knew that it was an amazing throw. When the javelin landed, officials raced to pinpoint its touchdown for measurement. Xin Yin squatted at the side with a towel covering her face, anticipating a personal best. It seemed to take forever for the judges to confirm the distance as everyone watched in silence. Finally, the distance was announced and the HCI throwers literally jumped for joy, celebrating Xin Yin’s achievement.

RJC could not attain the javelin gold this year, but they finished relatively well with the 2nd and 3rd placings. HCI took 1st, 4th and 7th this year. Both Victoria JC and Anglo-Chinese JC fared worse than last year but VJC is waiting to catch up on points in the Discus (8th July) and the Shot Put event (14th July). With last year’s Discus gold and Shot Put silver medallist Ng Yu Fang and her teammates coming up against new A Division competitors, more exciting action is expected.

On a side note, this is Tan Xin Yin’s last competition in the A Division. What a better way to end it than to break a 19 year record!

tan xin yin javelin

Tan Xin Yin with a powerful drive from her near-perfect run-up on her 3rd throw of 37.26m, which gave her the assurance of a gold medal. (Photo 2 © Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports)

tan xin yin javelin

Tan Xin Yin all nerves as she anxiously awaits the announcement of her distance. (Photo 3 © Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports)

amelia chua javelin

Amelia Chua of RJC psyching up for her 1st throw of the competition with her coach, Mr Seem watching in the background. She came in second with a throw distance of 31.66m. (Photo 4 © Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports)

rosaline ng javelin

A look of intense concentration is displayed for all to see as Rosaline Ng of RJC prepares for the release. Her best throw of 30.40m clinched her the bronze. It was a crucial 4cm further than 4th placed competitior, Lee Wenqi of HCI. (Photo 5 © Tan Huey Ying/Red Sports)

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An interview with the 18-year-old who broke a 19-year-old record