400m AYG runner Jared Lim: “I’ll do my best at the AYG so that people will be convinced I am really the fastest.”

By Colin Tung/Red Sports

Jared Lim Jun Ting of the Singapore Sports School will run the 400m in the upcoming Asian Youth Games.

But the runner, who turns 16 on June 24, found himself in the middle of a controversy over his nomination through no fault of his own.

His nomination prompted a complaint from others over the selection policy after Jared did not finish first in finals.

“Strictly following the selection criteria which says that the person with the fastest time clocked during the qualifying window will be selected for the Asian Youth Games squad, I don’t think the authorities have made a mistake in choosing me,” said Jared.

All said and done, timings do not lie and his 51.11s clocked at the National Inter-School Track-and-Field Championships stands as the fastest time in his age-group this year.

In spite of that, he has been made to feel like a bad guy. His joy, when informed by his school about his AYG inclusion, was adulterated by the unsavoury politicking that was out of his control.

“I wondered if I deserved the place and it hindered my confidence. I also felt a little guilty as it felt like I robbed Avinash (the original athlete named for the 400m in the AYG) of his spot. But I was happy nonetheless to get the chance to represent Singapore.”

He is one of four Singapore Sports School athletes to be named in the AYG athletics squad, joining Liang Wei, Nurshaishireen Binte Mohamad Rahim and Shahrir Mohd Anuar.

Shahrir, Jared says, is his inspiration.

“Running alongside Shahrir for the last four years and looking at his achievements have amazed me. He balances his studies and athletics well and so is a sort of role-model for me.”

Jared himself has had notable achievements since he was spotted at his primary school’s Sports Day and asked by a teacher to join the National Schools meet.

He takes most pride in winning four gold medals at the Thailand Sports School Games in Secondary 2. He finished first in the 300m, 200m, 4X200m and 4X100m against Malaysian, Thai and Qatari counterparts.

Jared also shared a side of him that showed that he was a team-player when he let on that he most enjoys the relays. In addition, he was a football and basketball player before he got started in running in primary school.

At the AYG, Jared is shooting for a new personal best time and a place in the final. That would certainly help him prove a point. Blessed birthday, Jared!