By REDintern Fiona Lee
Francis in action during the race. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Singapore Sports School, Tuesday, April 23, 2013 — 13-year-old Francis Fong of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) broke his own 50 metres backstroke record of 28.66 seconds that he had previously set in the heats to finish first in 28.37s in the C Division Boys 50m backstroke final at the 54th National Schools Swimming Championships.
Francis, of course, is no stranger to breaking records, since he has been setting new age-group marks at the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships in this event since 2009. With his record-breaking swim, Francis also bettered schoolmate Quah Zheng Wen’s National Under-14 record of 28.47s set in 2010.
Francis was very happy with his results and was glad to see the fruits of his arduous trainings.
“However this satisfaction will last for only a short period of time as my thirst and hunger to break records will never be quenched,” commented Francis.
He added that his success is owed to his dedicated coach, Zhou Xiang Yu, who made the effort to help Francis out of his own accord, at his own time and expense.
“Besides my coach, I am also grateful for my parents, grandmothers, school teachers and friends. Clinching gold medals and breaking record for my swim meets is my way of saying thank you to them,” said Francis.
Meanwhile, it was a close race for silver and bronze between Melvin Lee and Benjamin Cher of Raffles Institution and ACS(I) respectively. Melvin won the silver by a mere 0.06s with 31.41s, leaving Benjamin to take home the bronze with 31.47s.
C Division Boys 50m backstroke
1st Fong Jia Yi Francis (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 28.37s
2nd Lee Jun Hong Melvin (Raffles Institution) — 31.41s
3rd Cher Chek Loong Benjamin (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) — 31.47s
4th Lim Fang Jan 12 (Raffles Institution) — 31.74s
5th Tan Jun Kiat Benjamin (Raffles Institution) — 31.95s
6th Ian Michael (St. Andrew’s Secondary) — 32.15s
7th Ong Pin Chao Daniel (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 33.93s
8th Tan Kai Le Jeremy (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 35.18s
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