By REDintern Soh Rui Yong
Leo Fang (2989) crossing the finish line with Raviin Muthu Kumar (3002) coming in behind shortly. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Gombak Stadium, Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Pre-race favourites Leo Fang and Raviin Muthu Kumar, both of Singapore Polytechnic (SP), lived up to the high expectations placed upon them, blitzing the field to win the gold and silver respectively in the men's 800m.
As the gun went off, Raviin moved swiftly to the front and led the field through the first 200m in 30 sec, on course for 2:00 min timing for the 800m. However, the pace would then slow down dramatically as the race developed into a tactical one, with nobody eager to take the lead and push the pace, preferring instead to wait behind the leader. Raviin reached the bell in 64 seconds, a very slow pace, which effectively ended any chance of a sub- 2:00min timing in this race.
Leo, who all the while had been tracking Raviin every inch of the way, sensed the danger when a big group of athletes from various other teams closed in from behind. The slow early pace had allowed the other athletes to keep in touch with the two favourites, and Leo now put in a dramatic increase in pace, clearly aiming to shake off the other runners.
Raviin responded instantly to Leo's move, and the team mates gradually began to open daylight between themselves and the chase pack, led by Haja Fayiz of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). With 200m to go, it was clear that the gold and silver medals were to be shared between Leo and Raviin, and Leo put in another surge, with Raviin again responding immediately.
Literally the thickness of a running vest separated the two as they came off the bend into the home straight, and Raviin now drew wide and launched his sprint finish, catching up and almost drawing even with Leo.
However, no sooner had this happened when Leo started a devastating finishing kick of his own, which allowed him to hold off a hard-charging Raviin. As the battling duo crossed the finish line, their SP schoolmates could be seen celebrating triumphantly in the spectator stands.
Leo clocked a winning time of 2:02.79, with Raviin approximately a second behind in 2:03.80. Haja Fayiz finished in 2:07.77 to take the bronze medal.
After the race, Leo and Raviin shared that they "wanted to strike back and earn as many points for their team as possible", after Nanyang Polytechnic had won the first two golds of the competition on Wednesday in the men's 10000m and the women's 3000m.
"We were also both aiming for the win but even though I lost out on the gold medal, I am still very happy as our school managed a 1-2 finish, which was our main aim going into the race," Raviin stated.
Leo and Raviin are training partners, both under the tutelage of Mr S.Pandian. The gruelling training sessions they have been through together has made the duo into close friends. Leo says that he "enjoys having a good friend like Raviin with him at training”, as they can "push and help each other to higher levels".
Raviin shared this view and comments that they complement each other at training. Leo, being the faster of the two, helps him with the sprint and short intervals sessions, while Raviin, having a stronger endurance threshold, helps Leo with the long runs and long interval sessions.
The partnership has been a win-win situation for the two athletes, and their vast improvements made over the past year have been testaments to that claim. With hard work and perseverance, this exciting duo will surely continue to make waves in the local athletics scene for many years to come.
Raviin Muthu Kumar (3002) surging ahead at the start to gain an early lead over the pack in the Mens’ 800m final. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Raviin Muthu Kumar (3002) holds a very close lead over Leo Fang (2989) but is overtaken moments later as they entered the second round. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Leo Fang (right) and Raviin Muthu Kumar finished 1-2 in the 800m. (Photo 4 © Soh Rui Yong)
Results (courtesy of reader Sam Lim)
Event 109 Men 800 Meter Run
Name Team Finals
Section 1
1 2989 Fang, Leo Singapore Polytechnic 2:02.79
2 3002 Muthu Kumar, Raviin Singapore Polytechnic 2:03.80
3 2837 Fayiz, Haja Institute of Tech Education 2:07.77
4 2922 Kumar, R. Dinesh Ngee Ann Polytechnic 2:13.01
5 3038 Lam, Alvin Temasek Polytechnic 2:14.90
6 3033 Baligur, Wasiur Rehman Temasek Polytechnic 2:15.53
7 3014 Woo, Jia Yuan Singapore Polytechnic 2:16.85
8 2933 Ng, Yong Zhi Ngee Ann Polytechnic 2:17.75
9 3040 Lim, Leon Temasek Polytechnic 2:18.36
10 2895 Teo, Eugene Nanyang Polytechnic 2:19.83
11 2965 Sapuan, Abul Shyukur Republic Polytechnic 2:23.53
12 2894 Tay, John Nanyang Polytechnic 2:25.75
13 2925 Lee, Ivan Ngee Ann Polytechnic 2:26.28
14 2834 Ang, Sam Institute of Tech Education 2:30.12
15 2880 Lin, Sijie Nanyang Polytechnic 2:33.94
Excellent article Rui Yong – had me hooked from start to finish. ‘Thickness of a jersey’ hmm. : ). These 2 are really breathing some life back into the sport!