Raffles Institution's Yusuf leaps to glory

Yusuf Arsyad of Raffles Institution claimed gold easily in the 57th National Schools Track and Field Championships B Division long jump final yesterday at Bishan Stadium.

The 15-year-old secured the win and set a new personal best with his first attempt of 6.67m, with Raeshon Loo of the Singapore Sports School finishing second (6.35m) and Hwa Chong Institution's Ernest Ong in third spot (6.30m).

Yusuf, whose previous personal best was 6.40m, bettered his new mark on his second attempt with a distance of 6.68m.

He started off as a high jumper five years ago, but developed a liking for the long jump and began training in the discipline at the start of 2015.

Two weeks ago, Yusuf (photo) sprained his left ankle at training and he knew he would not be at 100 per cent.

"I'm actually surprised to beat my personal best by 28cm despite my ankle injury," Yusuf told The New Paper.

"I really owe it to my coach for conducting recovery sessions and my mum for being supportive and massaging my legs every day."

Yusuf is confident that he will be able to break the B Division record of 6.79m, set in 1995, when he steps up a grade next year.

Teacher-in-charge Vincent Quek, 42 , said: "He will get stronger.

"He has a very fast run, he is very daring and he is always eager to take the challenge and go even further."

OTHER RESULTS

B Div Girls Long Jump

1. Tia Louise Rozario (Singapore Sports School) 5.55m

2. Tan Jing Wei (Cedar Girls' Secondary School) 5.04m

3. Rachel Loh (Cedar Girls' Secondary School) 4.98m

C Div Boys High Jump

1. Hanzel Loh (Catholic High School) 1.75m

2. Joshua Sim (Hwa Chong Institution) 1.60m

3. Chin Yi Yang (Singapore Sports School) 1.60m