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The secrets to Hwa Chong Institution's success in S'pore athletics

SINGAPORE — When it comes to juggling sports and studies, few can do it better than the students of Hwa Chong Institution.

SINGAPORE — When it comes to juggling sports and studies, few can do it better than the students of Hwa Chong Institution.

The school is renowned for having produced some of the brightest minds in Singapore, and also has an illustrious history of having unearthed some of the biggest names in Singapore athletics.

They include sprinter Lee Cheng Wei, thrower Wong Kai Yuen and pole vaulters Rachel Yang, Sean Lim and Chan Sheng Yao.

Channel NewsAsia finds out if there is a secret behind the school's impressive track record.

THE NUMBERS GAME

With strength in numbers comes success for Hwa Chong Institution. Building an army of athletes is one of the reasons the school has won at least one division title every year since 1968 at the National Inter-School Track and Field Championships, when it was still divided into The Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College.

Hwa Chong now has 200 athletes, coming from its High School and Junior College teams. They believe it is the camaraderie they share which drives them to success.

"The track and field team is a very bonded and very united, and more importantly, a very inspirational community for me. Track and field is not a very easy sport, and I would say that it's the willpower that matters. It's the discipline at the end of the day that pushes us through,” said the school’s JC Track and Field Captain Joseph Zhao.

"As a very competitive and tough sport, as we train together, we get closer together. It's a platform where some of my closest friendships developed. Also, as a passion, I'm glad I'm able to commit to track and field; to sprinting almost every day. It lets me feel that I'm very lucky to do so much for something I have a huge passion in,” said High School Track and Field Captain Hong Wen Kai.

‘ALWAYS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE’

Hwa Chong also boasts an impressive pool of coaches, some of whom are former national athletes. There are nine coaches in total for sprints, long distance, jumps, throws, pole vault, and even race walking. They include high jumper David Woon and runner and four-time SEA Games medallist Lee Cheng Wei, who are both members of the school's alumni.

Steven Quek, the current coach of Olympic qualifier Neo Jie Shi and ex-coach of marathon runners Mok Ying Ren and Soh Rui Yong, helms the long distance team.

The pole vault team is coached by David Yeo, who still coaches SEA Games silver medallist Rachel Yang.

Despite boasting national experience in the team, Lee does not believe there is a coaching secret to Hwa Chong's success.

"We have to go back to the values that we actually teach, especially to our track and field team. It's to always strive for excellence, and to have the discipline to do well in both track and field and studies. A good balance between CCAs and studies is important, so that we create well-rounded student-athletes,” said Lee.

High jumper Kon Pei Ying said her training has taught her to push for what she really wants.

“I do believe that things are difficult before they get easier. I believe that as long as I put in my effort and all my hard work, it'll definitely pay off and show results. And that's another reason why I really enjoy the sport, because every time I put in the effort and it shows, it makes me feel as though everything I've done for the sport has paid off,” she said.

Hwa Chong bagged three division championships in 2015 and now boasts a new weapon in its armoury.

Its new running track was completed last June, a high-quality surface certified by the world governing body for athletics, the International Association of Athletics Federations. The school hopes the track will enhance training efficiency and productivity for the athletes. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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