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

Zak Tng (#464) of HCI came in first in the C Division Boys 400 metres hurdles event stopping the clock at 1:02.17, while Caleb Loy (#209) of RI took silver with a time of 1:04.15 and Kean Tan (#404) of VS rounded off the podium coming in at 1:06.16. (Photo 1 © Stefanus Ian/Red Sports)

Zak Tng (#464) of HCI came in first in the C Division Boys 400 metres hurdles event stopping the clock at 1:02.17, while Caleb Loy (#209) of RI took silver with a time of 1:04.15 and Kean Tan (#404) of VS rounded off the podium coming in at 1:06.16. (Photo 1 © Stefanus Ian/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Monday, March 25, 2019 — Zak Tng of Hwa Chong Institution clinched the C Division boys’ 400-metre hurdles gold at the 60th National Schools Track and Field Championships, stopping the clock at 1 minute 2.17 seconds.

The result meant the Secondary 2 student seals his first individual medal at the annual schools meet. Last year, he only took part in the flat 400m but did not make the final.

This year, he came in fifth in the 400m, and the gold in his first endeavour in the hurdles served as redemption after he expected better for his other event.

“There was some disappointment (for the 400m), and that was one of the motivating factors which spurred me to get first,” Zak said.

After qualifying second-fastest from the heats behind Raffles Institution’s Caleb Loy, Zak admitted he saw himself as the underdog going into the final.

“I guess I just pushed myself,” he added. “I didn’t expect a gold medal but I just wanted to try my best and see what I could get.”

Caleb eventually finished with the silver in 1:04.15, while Kean Tan of Victoria School clocked 1:06.16 to take the bronze.

Having thrived in new territory, Zak concluded: “I see myself continuing (in the 400m hurdles), and I hope I can sustain this performance.”

C Division Boys’ 400m Hurdles Final Results
1st Zak Tng Guang Hong (#464, Hwa Chong Institution) — 1:02.17
2nd Caleb Loy Jun Kai (#209, Raffles Institution) — 1:04.15
3rd Kean Tan Jun Ern (#404, Victoria School) — 1:06.16
4th Brandon Ang Li Yang (#208, Raffles Institution) — 1:07.58
5th Julian Lee Jin-Yung (#268, St. Joseph’s Institution) — 1:12.65
6th Pia Shakti S/O Kavipurapu (#235, Raffles Institution) — 1:15.94
7th Tristan Tan Xin An (#466, Hwa Chong Institutin) — 1:21.60
Samuel Toh Jun Xian (#157, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) — DQ

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