Story by Teo Yun Teng/Red Sports. Photos by Les Tan and Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports
Jared Chang (#197, left) of VJC emerged first with a timing of 14.69 seconds, just 0.01s ahead of Randall Choo (#267, HCI). It is the closest finish in this event since electronic timing was introduced in 1995. (Photo 1 © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)
Bishan Stadium, Tuesday, April 19, 2016 — Jared Chang of Victoria Junior College (VJC) clinched the A Division Boys’ 110 metres hurdles gold at the 57th National School Track and Field Championships by the narrowest of margins, clocking 14.69 seconds in the final.
Jared pipped Randall Choo (14.70s) of Hwa Chong Institution to the gold by one-hundredth of a second, as both athletes dipped together at the finish line in a photo finish. Jared’s VJC teammate Ryan Ng finished third in 15.93s.
Jared greatly improved from last year’s championships, where he had won the event in 15.28s.
Going into the National Schools meet, Randall had been the one in form, beating Jared in previous races earlier this year. As recently as the 42nd Singapore Athletics U18/U20 Championships in March, Randall had clocked 15.09s, ahead of Jared’s 15.37s.
When asked about his feelings after the race, Jared replied, “Before this, I was actually not performing up to the standard I feel I could go to. My other competitor, Randall Choo, was always better in the previous races, so I knew he was going to be my main competitor. At the start of the race, I constantly reminded myself to keep my head down and lean forward. I am quite happy with my performance overall.”
Jared and Randall both clocked personal bests, and are now ranked eighth and ninth respectively in the all-time lists of this event at these championships. Former national record holder Abdul Hakeem bin Abdul Halim, formerly from Raffles JC, holds the championship record of 14.23s set in 2005.
Jared will next focus on the 400m hurdles. Last year, he had finished third in the event.
The A Division Boys’ 400m hurdles final will take place on Monday, April 25.
A Division Boys’ 110m Hurdles – Top 8
1st Jared Chang Joo Xyang (#197, Victoria Junior College) — 14.69 seconds
2nd Randall Choo Tian Xi (#267, Hwa Chong Institution) — 14.70
3rd Ryan Ng Jiong Hao (#204, Victoria Junior College) — 15.93
4th Prem Sathiamoorthy (#146, Raffles Institution) — 16.11
5th Hintze Tan Zhuo Kang (#172, Dunman High School) — 16.23
6th Lim Wei Han Daniel (#60, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 16.26
7th Samuel Lee Jin Quan (#65, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 16.31
8th Neo Shaojun, Brennick (#201, Victoria Junior College) — 16.67
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