Story by Iman Hashim/Red Sports. Photos by Les Tan and Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports.
Joshua Lim on his way to clocking a new national U-17 record of 49.24s. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Bishan Stadium, Thursday, April 21, 2016 — Joshua Lim of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) clocked a record-breaking 49.24 seconds to easily claim the B Division Boys’ 400 metres gold at the 57th National Schools Track and Field Championships.
The Secondary Four student finished at least two seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, Singapore Sports School’s Irfan Qabeel (51.29s). Irving De Boer of Hwa Chong Institution was third in 51.57s.
Joshua’s timing broke the championship record of 49.75s, set by Singapore Sports School alumnus Jamie Ross Coates eight years ago. At the same time, it is a new national under-17 boys’ record, pending ratification by Singapore Athletics. It went under the previous mark of 49.6s, held by Li Fushun since 1987.
Joshua’s win also made it his third National Schools 400m gold in a row, after he had won with a 50.97s timing in the B Division last year, and with a C Division record of 51.65s in 2014.
This was the first time that Joshua has broken the 50-second barrier in the event. His previous personal best was the 50.21s he clocked during the heats.
When asked if he was expecting to break the championship record, he commented, “Yes, I was expecting this. I actually targeted a 49.6s, my coach (Mr Alfred Sim), my team and I have been working very hard for this in the months leading up to Nationals. But I feel what truly matters most is the journey I took with my team, my family, my coach and most importantly God. I really give Him all the glory, all the praise and all the honour. This has really been a walk of faith for me.”
“My coach has also truly had a very crucial role in helping me clinch the record. But I feel what truly mattered to me the most was just seeing all the effort that I put in, the time I spent with my team, and the time I spent training with my coach just coming to fruition and just blossoming in the light of the Nationals, and being able to give God the glory – it’s truly what satisfies me the most,” he continued.
Now with both the C Division and B Division 400m records to his name, Joshua is looking ahead to the future.
He said, “In the bigger picture, I hope to get onto a larger platform, to always get onto a higher platform to glorify God. And also hopefully, go for the A Division record (in the next two years).”
The A Division Boys’ 400m championship record stands at 48.69s, set by Zubin Percy Muncherji, then of Anglo-Chinese Junior College, in 2014.
For now, Joshua will focus on his 200m final, which he has qualified for as the fastest overall in the heats and semi-finals. The B Division Boys’ 200m final will take place on Monday, April 25.
B Division Boys’ 400m – Top 8
1st Joshua Lim Yong Loon (#171, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 49.24 seconds (New CR)
2nd Mohammad Irfan Qabeel B Md D (#136, Singapore Sports School) — 51.29
3rd Irving Alexander De Boer (#545, Hwa Chong Institution) — 51.57
4th Ng Mong Rui, Caspian (#51, Catholic High School) — 52.67
5th Oliver Lim Tze Rong (#179, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — 52.91
6th Tan Yong Ming (#143, Singapore Sports School) — 52.99
7th Linus Chui Wai Kin (#387, Dunman High School) — 54.83
Justin Lee Jing Rui (#130, Singapore Sports School) — Withdrawal
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