WALA International Athletics Championship 2012

This is the first time I’m involved in the WALA International Athletics Championship. I was lucky enough to have 2 athletes represent Singapore and both of them were from ACSi. There were 3 ACSi representatives altogether and they were Timothy Ong (Under 15 – 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m), Brian Foong (Under 14 – 4 x 400m) and Paul Simmy (Under 14 – 800m). Paul trains under Mr Lawrence Ang and Coach Kien Mau.

ACSi started proper off season training after the school holidays, so we had only about 2 months of preparation before the WALA. We already had a long season due to the March-April National Schools, so I thought it would be good for the boys to rest and be ready for the next season. 

I didn’t really prepare Timothy and Brian to compete, and we focused on conditioning instead. Most of the time Timothy was busy with his other commitments like Boy's Brigade and Debate Team, which he excelled in, and topped his cohort in all aspects.

Brian trained with Coach Jack during the Holidays and I believe he did conditioning work as well. Coach Jack has been helping Brian since his primary school days when he started in Athletics as a high jumper. It was in ACSi that he decided to switch to Sprints. I think I did the right choice by putting him in the 400m. He handled it well although he needs more exposure and competition to this new track event.

Brian Foong - right most. receiving medals for 4 x 400m Under 14

1st Malaysia, 2nd Singapore and 3rd Australia

Timothy Ong 3rd place for 200m Under 15

Timothy came in 4^th for the 100m Under 15 category and ahead of him was 2 Malaysians and 1 Australian. He clocked a hand time of 11.40s despite his current performance level, and I think that is quite a decent timing. He made a comeback when he dipped for his 200m on the 2^nd day and managed to bring home a Bronze medal. Not forgetting the 4 x 100m boys under 15 winning a Silver!

Brian worked hard for the 4 x 400m as the first leg for the team. He gave his all for his first 100m and was ahead of the 2 Australian teams, following closely behind the Malaysians. His lack of race fitness took him at the last 150m and the Australians overtook him at the last bend. I caught Brian at 56s split time. The rest of the runners ran their hearts out and managed to finish 2^nd behind the Malaysians.

For more information on the results, you can visit http://sssc.schoolsports.sg/.

 100m Boys under 15 - Singapore lane 3(Timothy Ong) and 5.