Story by Teo Yun Teng/Red Sports. Photos by Les Tan/Red Sports

c div girls 80m hurdles

Elizabeth-Ann Tan (NYGH #414, right) won gold in a record-breaking time of 12.07s. Valencia Ho (NYGH #426) was second while Tiffany Yau (NYGH #430) was third. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Bishan Stadium, Tuesday, April 19, 2016 — Elizabeth-Ann Tan of Nanyang Girls’ High School (NYGH) emerged as the champion in the C Division Girls’ 80 metres hurdles at the 57th National Schools Track and Field Championships, setting a blistering new championship record of 12.07 seconds.

Her timing went under the previous mark and national under-15 record of 12.33s, set by Tia Louise Rozario of Singapore Sports School in 2014. Tia was the winner of the B Division Girls’ 100m hurdles final in the following race of the afternoon.

Elizabeth’s teammates, Valencia Ho and Tiffany Yau, finished second and third with timings of 12.72s and 13.01s respectively.

Elizabeth came into this meet with a personal best of 12.62s, while Valencia was slightly faster with a PB of 12.53s and season’s best of 12.57s. The former then clocked a 12.52s in the heats, before going on to smash the championships record in the final.

The 0.26-second improvement over the old mark is the greatest in this event since electronic timing was introduced in 1995.

Elizabeth’s margin of victory was also the most substantial since 1992, when ex-national diver, gymnast and hurdler Eileen Chai beat former national netball captain Jean Ng by 1.6 seconds.

When asked about her post-race thoughts, Elizabeth responded, “I felt that my teammates and I did well. I would like to thank my teammates for their constant encouragement, and my parents, teachers, coaches for giving me the opportunity to participate in this race.”

“Usually, during training, my teachers will always make sure our techniques are right so as to minimize the possibility of getting an injury. If we get injured, they will always make sure we recover before taking part in the races,” she added.

Elizabeth will now look to do well in the 100m event. She has qualified for the 100m semi-finals which will take place on Thursday, April 21.

The 100m final will take place on Friday, April 29.

C Division Girls’ 80m Hurdles – Top 8
1st Elizabeth-Ann Tan Shee Ru (#414, Nanyang Girls’ High School) — 12.07 seconds (New championship and national under-15 record)
2nd Valencia Ho Ting Yin (#426, Nanyang Girls’ High School) — 12.72
3rd Yau Jia Hui Tiffany (#430, Nanyang Girls’ High School) — 13.01
4th Zann Oh Shuyu (#112, Singapore Sports School) — 13.15
5th Long Aijun Eugenia (#261, Cedar Girls’ Secondary) — 13.81
6th Rachel Cheong (#106, Singapore Sports School) — 13.93
7th Ho Zhi Xuan (#34, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School) — 14.43
8th Low Wen Lynn Tessa (#264, Cedar Girls’ Secondary) — 15.26

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