Interview by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

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Xin Yin with her coach (back row) and her fellow javelin girls Carolyn Tien (front, left) and Lee Wenqi (right). (Photo courtesy Tan Xin Yin)

Tan Xin Yin recently broke a 19-year-old record at the 49th National Track & Field Championships. She set a new national record for the javelin event with a throw distance of 41.87m. She is currently studying in Hwa Chong Institution and is in JC2.

Red Sports: Tell me about yourself.
Xin Yin: I was a softballer since secondary school and I am currently on the combined schools team. I only started javelin in March 2007. It was my throws senior, Yong, who suggested that I should give it a try. On my first training, I was actually planning to visit my throws friends and just to throw a few for fun. When the coach came over, I didn't dare say that I was playing, so I said that I wanted to learn. He then taught me the basics and from then on, I took up javelin as my second CCA.

What sort of preparations did you make while preparing for/during the Track and Field Season?
It wasn't easy juggling two CCAs – softball and javelin. Furthermore, both CCAs required me to use my throwing arm. I was in school from dawn to dusk almost everyday in the '07 December holidays. When school started, I trained 4 times a week, 2 days each for softball and javelin, with Wednesday as a break to rest my arm and catch up with work. I had to stop javelin training when my softball season started. After my softball final, instead of going out for celebrations, I came back to school to train.

How did you feel when you realized you had broken a 19-year-old record, and not just the meet record but the national record?
I felt accomplished. I told myself before I started training for the '08 season that if I was to train javelin alongside with softball, I would have to make sure I break the record. I either go all the way or not start at all. Breaking the record meant that I have met my personal goals. I turned 18 in June. So I guess this record is a also belated birthday present to myself.

How did you feel about your performance?
I haven't been throwing well before that day. Also, I have never thrown near 40m before during training. On that day, my first two throws were not measured, so the pressure was on me. I managed to get back my confidence and composure before the third throw, hence performing well. It's great to have a new PB and proved that I can be mentally strong.

Was the run towards the final tough? How was it like?
Certainly. I had to prepare for my exams too. So I had to study during my break between morning and afternoon trainings, as well as in the night. Moreover, I was under-performing and wasn't throwing up to expectations. There were times I felt like giving up and focus on my studies instead, but I am glad I persevered and managed to peak at the right time.

Any intense or memorable moments you had throughout your entire training process and the Track and Field season?
This is quite funny. My second last training, after under-performing for weeks, I stood facing the field with a javelin in my hand for a long time. I was thinking of what it felt like to make a good throw. The quote: “Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." suddenly struck me and I realized that I had to stop throwing the javelin like a softball and throw it at the clouds instead. It worked for me and I threw the furthest in weeks.

I am also very thankful for my parents, coach and friends. They were always asking about me, making me feel very well taken care of during the training process. With their strong support and encouragement, I kept pushing on when I wasn't doing well. I just had to do them proud.

What are your future aspirations?
I believe it's every athlete's dream to compete for Singapore at international meets and bring glory to the nation. I share the same dream too. It would be an honour to be able to represent Singapore, be it as a thrower or softballer. If possible, I would like to compete side by side with top athletes from around the world (and try to win? 🙂 ).

Any advice for aspiring young athletes?
"It's the process, not the outcome", said my coach. Don't think of throwing a certain distance. Instead, take note of the little details you need to execute the action, and the outcome (which is a good throw) will come naturally. Be a fan of visual training. Visualize yourself doing well, and it will happen. Positive thinking is very important. Whatever happens, stay cheerful and keep fighting. Finally, learn to feel the throw, and throw based on feelings. Don't throw hard, but rather, throw with your heart.