Story by Clement Tan/Red Sports. Pictures by Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports and Jerald Ang/Red Sports

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Damien Koh (HCI #466) elated as he finishes in a gold timing of 01:02.19. (Photo 1 © Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports)

Bishan Stadium, Monday, April 24, 2017 — The delight on Damien Koh’s face was plain for all to see after he surged past Ken Hayashi of National Junior College on the home straight to win the 400 metres hurdles C boys title at the 58th National Schools Track and Field Championships.

He turned around after crossing the line, smily widely and flashing victory signs on both hands while he waited for his Hwa Chong Institution teammate Lionel See who had raced in the lane next to his. Damien finished in 1 minutes 2.19 seconds, nearly 10 seconds ahead of Lionel in eighth.

“It was down to my last few hurdles, they were all very smooth,” Damian said. “I thought I was aiming for third, but I learned from today’s race never to doubt myself.”

That smooth execution in the final stretch helped him overhaul the fast tiring Ken in the final 50 metres, who could only watch on helplessly, unable to summon any more energy in his legs after having powered through the first 200 metres and led for most of the race.

The difference between the two boys was a mere 0.35 second, but that also meant this was Ken’s second silver medal from these championships after another in the 100m hurdles where he got pipped by Jeft Tay from the Singapore Sports School.

Ho Zhe Xi, who narrowly won gold in the 400 metres after he hurled himself to the finish line, finished third this time in 1:03.19.

C Division Boys 400 Meters Hurdles Final
1st Damien Koh (#466 Hwa Chong Institution) 1 minute 2.19 seconds
2nd Ken Hayashi (3203 National Junior College) 1:02.54
3rd Ho Zhe Xi (#238 Raffles Institution) 1:03.19
4th Malik Rohan (#380 Tanjong Katong Secondary) 1:04.05
5th Irsyad Bin Mohammad Said (#115 Singapore Sports School) 1:04.48
6th Gabriel Tang (#236 Raffles Institution) 1:06.47
7th Masagoes Muhammad Iqbal (#422 Victoria School) 1:09.90
8th Lionel See (#484 Hwa Chong Institution) 1:11.45