Story by Les Tan/Red Sports. Photos by reader Shaun Chook

1500m final

Zachary Devaraj on the final stretch of the 1,500m race. (Photo 1 © Shaun Chook)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 – Zachary Devaraj of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) came from behind to win the C Division 1,500m Final in a time of 4 minutes, 37.37 seconds at the recent 48th National Inter-School Track & Field Championships. His previous best time was 4:51.

Sumanthiran S/O Selvarajoo of St Joseph’s Institution was the early leader although Zachary stuck close to him. This situation remained unchanged until the 1,000m mark when Jonathan Low of ACS(I), together with Zachary, overtook Sumanthiran to go first and second in the race.

Things got interesting when Keith Tan of Singapore Sports School decided he would then make his move when he overtook both the ACS boys to lead for about 200m. However, with 200m to go in the race, Zachary, who is in Secondary 1, staged his fightback to overtake Keith who had no answer for the final stretch. Sumanthiran of SJI eventually finished second in 4:38.55 while Keith was third in 4:38.91. Jonathan Low was sixth in 4:42.70.

1500m final

The chasing pack. Left to right: Yeo Si Heng (HCI), Keith Tan (#085, Sports School), Chua Yang Qin (Catholic High), Benjamin Soh (#108, ACS(I)), Gavin Loh (#145, Catholic High), Jonathan Teo (Catholic High), Eugene Rodrigo (#414, Victoria School). (Photo 2 © Shaun Chook)