Story and photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports.

Wong Liek Zhe (#325) of Hwa Chong Institution in action during the A Division boys’ long jump final. (Photo © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Tuesday, April 3, 2018 — While most athletes would have tired out, Wong Liek Zhe of Hwa Chong Institution made sure to give himself something to remember on his final attempt during the A Division boys’ long jump final at the National Schools Track and Field Championships.

The final jump distance was 6.31 metres, catapulting him to his first gold medal in the championships.

For Wong, who barely made the 6m mark during training, the win was a “really good one”, ending a two-year medal drought. When he competed in the B Division final last year, Wong’s 6.38m effort, which is his personal best, fell short of the competition and placed him just out of the medals in fourth place.

“This win means a lot to me, because the last time I won a medal was in Secondary 2, where I got second for long jump and third for triple jump,” said Wong.

“It’s a very, very good feeling and because this is my first gold medal too.”

Team-mate Benaiah Hoong followed in second place with a jump distance of 6.18m, while Raffles Institution’s Sven Shane Chen settled for the bronze medal with a jump distance of 6.18m.

The meet record stands at 7.07m, set by Raffles Junior College alumnus Wang Kan in 2006.

A Division Boys’ Long Jump Results
1st: Wong Liek Zhe (#325, Hwa Chong Institution) – 6.31m
2nd: Benaiah Hoong (#294, Hwa Chong Institution) – 6.18m
3rd: Sven Shane Chen (#171, Raffles Institution) – 6.04m
4th: Jorden Chong (#110, Catholic Junior College) – 5.99m
5th: Chervin Lim (#130, National Junior College) – 5.98m
6th: Stanley Heok (#218, Dunman High) – 5.95m
7th: Perry Wong (#315, Hwa Chong Institution) – 5.86m
8th: Matthew Toi [#82, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)] – 5.82m

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