Asian Junior Cross-Country C'ships 2011 (25th June)

Asian Cross-Country Junior C'ships 2011 - Under 15 and Under 17 for Boys and Girls

Picture 1 - Mongolia, Ulaan Baatar is the venue for the Asian Junior Cross-Country Championships 2011

Today, 25/04/2011, I saw Tineshwaran from Bendemeer Sec School taking part in the 3000m race for Under 14 boys' race backwards, after few rounds to go, to help an RI boy to stand up on his ground again. As the athletes were running forward, in front, Tineshwaran was running backwards to help the boy. "Tinesh!" "Focus on your own race", came the father's shout which was equivalent to screaming on top of one's voice. It was so loud that many in Choa Chu Kang Stadium could hear the shout and admired the father's effort.

Finally, nearing the end, Tinesh outsprinted Shohib B Abdul Wahab Marican and all of them at the last 110metres and opened up the gap such that, at the final 20metres, it was convincing that he was the clear winner.

Later on, Tinesh was told to be at CCAB at 3pm for a briefing for the Asian Cross-Country Championships for the Juniors race which was to be held in Mongolia in June 25.

Later on, the girl who was groomed by Westwood Sec, Belle Tan, currently in ACJC, outsprinted Clara Wong from VJC and Wan Zara from RJC to end as the winner. It was an exciting day which ended fruitfully. I saw the former Westwood Sec Coach and Mr Ramesh (HOD Westwood Sec Sch) standing, giving advice to Belle on her race and on her running. It is also official that Mr Ramesh will be going to Mongolia as the coach for the Asian Junior Cross Country Championships 2011.

At 3pm, Mr Elangovan, CCA Specialist, track and field advisor, a former Victoria Sec Sch teacher, headed the meeting for the Asian Cross-Country Championships 2011. He gave on the rules and regulations in summary.

Mr Tahir, Hod PE of SJI,  spoke on the week to be spent in Mongolia, on halal food and other dietary requirements and other details. I had to ask them on 24/06, on what will the athletes be doing. I was told that they can follow the coach's program but come for the 24th June training for team bonding. It was good to hear this as I was hoping that they don't go and do any long mileage or workout on the day before the race on 25th June. I was told that it will be more of a familiarisation run. I told them that this is a good idea to familiarise them the route so that they know where the start, and on anything that causes anticipation, and the finish, so that runners know when to use all the reserve for the final part. It is of no value to keep some spare at the end of the race.

Here are the names of those selected for the race. Predominantly, the students are JC1 and below. JC2 Students are not selected as they are considered overage. As such, Jeevanesh, Benjamin Amaldas and Eugene Rodrigo will not be selected for this upcoming race for junior boys and girls. Hopefully, they have race like this lined up for them in future.

Asian Junior Cross-Country Championships 2011

Under 15 Boys
--CH  Heng Yu Jie
--VS  Marcus Ng Yu Pei
BDM Tineshwaran
RI Mohamed Imran Jasirudeen

Under 17 Boys
SJI Karthic Harish Ragupathy
VS  Yong Ren Wei Bryan
CJC Jared Hui Jia Sheng
HCI Chin Joo Ern

Under 15 Girls
--RV Su Zann
SSS Nicole Lum
CGS Joycelyn Lee Yuet Zhen
CGS Lok Xin Ling

Under 17 Girls
JSS Ranjitha d/o Raja
CGS Cheryl Chan Xue Rou
HCI Debbie Ho Min
SKS Winona Howe

Reserve List of runners
NHS Leroi Lee Rong Zu - Under 15 Boys (Reserve)
ACS (I) Zachkary Devaraj Under -17 Boys (Reserve)
MGS Collins Chloe Ariana Under -15 Girls (Reserve)
CHIJ S Roobini - Under 17 Girls (Reserve)