Story by Iman Hashim/Red Sports. Photos by Benedict Yeo/Red Sports.

Marc Brian Louis (AND #25) crossing the finishing line in 15.20s, ahead of Matz Chan (RI #273) who came in second and Lai Yiyi (SSP #125) who was third. (Photo 1 © Benedict Yeo/Red Sports)

Bishan Stadium, Thursday, April 20, 2017 — Anderson Secondary’s Marc Brian Louis had to wait a long time to taste victory in a National Schools hurdles race.

Having not competed in the C Division for the past two years, his previous taste of inter-school track and field action was back in primary school. Even then, the best he could amass were three hurdles silver medals in a row throughout his upper-primary years, from 2012 to 2014.

In 2013 and 2014, the Sembawang Primary alumnus lost out both times to a certain Matz Chan, then of Nanyang Primary.

This time round, Marc finally got the better of his old foe when he ran 15.20 seconds to clinch the B Division 110m hurdles gold at the 58th National Schools Track and Field Championships.

Matz, now in Raffles Institution colours, was second in 15.44s, while Lai Yiyi of Singapore Sports School finished 0.1s behind in third.

Said Marc, “I feel very good about my performance, since it’s my first time winning a gold medal. Last time, I always got second place because of Matz Chan.”

“I think this is my breakthrough, I can do better in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, despite not winning gold, Matz said he was more than pleased with clocking a personal best.

“I feel quite happy I’m able to do my best, and I want to thank my coach, my parents, and my teammates for being there for me,” Matz said. “I think that Marc deserved the gold, because he’s been training very hard. It was a good effort from him.”

While Marc has no events left in these championships, Matz will look to win the B Division 400m hurdles gold. The latter has qualified fastest for the final, which will take place on April 24.

B Division Boys 110m Hurdles – Top 8
1st Marc Brian Louis (#25, Anderson Secondary) – 15.20 seconds
2nd Matz Chan (#273, Raffles Institution) – 15.44
3rd Lai Yiyi (#125, Singapore Sports School) – 15.54
4th Jaedon Mar (#470, Victoria School) – 15.93
5th Jerome Toh (#494, Victoria School) – 16.19
6th Gerard Emmanuel Loh (#532, Hwa Chong Institution) – 16.40
7th Jered Wong (#263, Raffles Institution) – 16.56
8th Md Irfan B Abdul Rani (#238, National Junior College) – 18.29

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