B Division 400m: Zubin Muncherji wins gold in blistering time of 50.04 seconds

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Wednesday, April 20, 2011 — Secondary Three Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) student Zubin Percy Muncherji ran a blistering time of 50.04 seconds to win the Boys’ B Division 400 metres gold medal at the 52nd National Inter-School Track and Field Championships.

Zubin had already clocked scintillating times of 51.53 and 50.58 in the heats and semi-finals respectively which were over a second quicker than anyone else in the B Division had managed. The final was more of the same. He switched gears after the first 100m and accelerated away from the field with his gazelle-like strides.

Zubin hit the finishing line just short of breaking the 50-second barrier. Singapore Sports School’s Luqman Bin Zamrot was over a second behind in 51.29, while Teo Yan (Ngee Ann Secondary) was third in 52.10.

It was the largest margin of victory in this B Division 400m race at the schools championships since Vernon Vijayan (50.21) beat Dzulfadzli Bin Abdul Shukor (52.26) in 2000.

In fact, Zubin’s 50.04s performance is the fastest ever done by a Secondary Three student. Only Frankie Lee (50.0s, hand-timed, 1982) and current B Division record holder Jamie Ross Coates (49.75, 2008) have ran quicker in the B Division. The current top schoolboy quarter-miler, Ng Chin Hui, posted a time of 51.25 when he was in Secondary Three two years ago.

The national under-15 record is 50.9 seconds, while the under-17 mark is 49.50.

B Boys’ 400m Final Results

Position/Name/School/Time

1. Zubin Percy Muncherji, Anglo-Chinese Sch (Barker Road) — 50.04 seconds
2. Luqman Bin Zamrot, Singapore Sports School — 51.29
3. Teo Yan, Ngee Ann Secondary — 52.10
4. Muhd Reyhan Amierul, Changkat Changi Secondary — 52.59
5. Koh Fang Hua, Dunman High — 53.64
6. Quek Jun Jie Calvin, Victoria Sch — 54.57
7. Clarence Kwa Rui Cong, Singapore Sports School — 55.46
8. Chua Kia Loon, Singapore Sports School — 55.72

Video shown with permission of SAA and SSSC