STRONG INTEREST

By Joshua Tan, TS Student Reporter, UWA

Track & field is easily one of the most prestigious sports in major competitions like the Olympics, Asian Games or SEA Games. This explains why there is strong interest in our track & field team for the coming SEA Games in Laos even though we are fielding athletes in only a few events.

Mr Consistent

The most recognisable athlete in our team is of course discus thrower James Wong. Dubbed "Mr Consistent" for his success in his event in this regional competition over the years, he will again carry our best hope for gold in Laos. Joining him in the same event is newcomer Scott Wong. Apart from them, other athletes gearing up for action in Vientiane include Sean Lim (pole vault), Stefan Tseng (triple jump, in picture) and Matthew Goh (long jump) among the guys. Also in the men's team are sprinters Poh Seng Song, Muhd Amiruddin Jamal, Izwan Firdaus Hanif, Lee Cheng Wei, Muhd Elfi Mustafa and Gary Yeo. In the women's events, our representatives are Rachel Yang (pole vault), Teo Hui Juen (pole vault), Wan Lay Chi (discus) and Zhang Guirong (shot put). Among them, the best bet for a medal is Guirong. At her prime, she was among Asia's best.

Popular Sport

Fans of athletics often lament that Singapore is able to field only so few athletes in this popular sport. In the 1970s, the nation enjoyed much success with athletes like C.Kunalan and Chee Swee Lee. In Laos this month (Dec), the hope is that athletes such as James Wong and Zhang Guirong will bring home some much-coveted medals to boost their sport among the young in Singapore.