Tan Xin Yin of Hwa Chong Institution breaks 19-year-old record to win javelin gold

Photos and story by 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!

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