Story by Iman Hashim/Red Sports. Photos by Stefanus Ian/Red Sports

Deseree Khor of Victoria Junior College clinched gold with a final distance of 32.63m in the A Division girls' Javelin Throw event. (Photo 1 © Stefanus Ian/Red Sports)

Deseree Khor of Victoria Junior College clinched gold with a final distance of 32.63m in the A Division girls’ Javelin Throw event. (Photo 1 © Stefanus Ian/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Monday, March 11, 2019 — Coming into the 60th National Schools Track and Field Championships, Deseree Khor of Victoria Junior College (VJC) was upbeat about her chances at gold in the A Division girls’ javelin. After all, she was the two-time defending champion in the event’s B Division and had also set a then-new C Division record in 2016.

Even as she moved up to the heavier 600-gram javelin in the A Division this year, her results remained status quo as she clinched victory in a new personal best of 32.62 metres. Before the National Schools meet, the former Cedar Girls’ Secondary student had yet to cross the 31-metre mark this year.

“I think I was pretty confident of getting first, but I didn’t really hit my target distance even though it was a PB,” said Deseree of her performance. “My target distance was like 33 (metres), but I hit 32.63m today. But it’s a good thing, because it means I can improve even more. It gives me more to work with.”

Deseree’s win led a 1-2 finish for VJC, with teammate Ang Xin Ying coming in second with a best throw of 26.78m. Hwa Chong Institution’s Erika Tok was third with 26.22m.

HCI and VJC have now won the last 12 girls’ A division javelin titles.

Asked on what went through her mind moments before her winning throw, Deseree said: “I try not to think before my throw, I normally visualise myself throwing before even stepping onto the runway. So when I’m about to throw I don’t really think much.”

With her track and field season concluded, Deseree already has her eyes set on next year’s edition, saying: “I’m pretty confident (of retaining gold), but I just need to be patient and consistent. I’m aiming for more, maybe like 34 (metres).”

But first, it is back to the soccer field for her as she gears up to represent VJC in the A Division girls’ Football Championship.

A Division Girls’ Javelin – Results
1st Deseree Khor You Li (#455, Victoria Junior College) — 32.63 metres
2nd Ang Xin Ying (#447, Victoria Junior College) — 26.78
3rd Erika Tok (#506, Hwa Chong Institution) — 26.22
4th Ng Qi Lin (#483, Anglo-Chinese Junior College) — 25.86
5th Tesha Tye (#524, Hwa Chong Institution) — 24.62
6th Khor Whey Yinn (#514, Hwa Chong Institution) — 20.65

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