Zachary Ryan of ACS(I) smashes 800m U-14 record at WALA Athletics Meet

Story and pictures by Ian Chew/Red Sports

Zachary Ryan from ACS (I), held off two Australian competitors to win the 1500m in 4 minutes and 26 seconds. (Photo 1 © Ian Chew)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Watch out Singapore, here comes a rising track propsect.

Not only did the diminutive Zachary Ryan outrun the strapping Australians at the Under-14 800m event at the WALA International Athletics Championships held in Singapore, he did it in style, erasing the previous record by 0.09 seconds. His new record time and personal best now stands at a quick 2 minutes 3.61 seconds.

The Secondary Two Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student, who started running in primary four in Fairfield Methodist Primary, is already looking forward to the upcoming national track and field championship.

“I hope to repeat my performance again in the 800m and 1500m events, and help my school dethrone Hwa Chong Institution for the overall title,” said a determined Zachary. ACS (I) was pipped last year by HCI for the overall C Division track and field title.

For good measure, he also led from start to finish in the 1500m race to win the best Singaporean performer award in the U-14 category. His winning time was 4min 30.26sec.

Garnering the best performer award for the U-15 category was Shahrir Anwar, a 15 year-old Secondary Three student in Singapore Sports School. He won the gold medal in the 100m event in 11.15sec. He also won a silver in the 200m sprints.

“I hope to be able to represent Singapore in the Olympics in the future, maybe in four years time,” he said, adding that being on the same relay team with schoolmate Calvin Kang would also be a dream come true.

His competitors in the upcoming inter school track and field championship though, can rest easy. The speed demon, whose favourite track star is Asafa Powell (“his running style is unique”), will be giving the competition a miss.

“It’s a pity that I will not be able to do my part for my school, but the upcoming International Youth competition will better provide me the opportunity to push myself further,” explained Shahrir, who picked up running in Elias Park Primary. His personal best timing for the 100m is currently 10.90 seconds.

Team Singapore head coach Tan Kin Loong was satisfied with his charges’ overall performance of 16 golds.

“We garnered a similar number in the previous WALA championships held in Kuala Lumpur. Also the competition is a celebration of friendship and sportsmanship, not just about competition,” he said.

The annual Western Australia Little Athletics (WALA) track and field meet focuses on youths below the age of 14 and 15 years of age. Both Singapore and Malaysia traditionally sends their best youth athletes to compete against the Western Australians in the various track and field events.

Singapore’s 4x400m relay team (in black) also emerged victorious in the U-14 category with a time of 3min and 39.04sec. The Australians (in yellow) came in second while the Malaysians (in white) finished third. (Photo 2 © Ian Chew)

Zachary with both his winning medals. “I didn’t break the 1500m record as I had no one to pace me!” He led from start to finish to win the race. (Photo 3 © Ian Chew)

Lee Jing Wei of Catholic High also did Singapore proud by winning the U-14 discus event with a throw of 42.23 metres. “I am really happy with achieving my personal best in this competition, but will keep working hard to improve,” he vowed. (Photo 4 © Ian Chew)

The annual WALA track and field meet, a celebration of friendship through sports among the youths of the three participating countries. (Photo 5 © Ian Chew)