Copying idols' rituals yields similar results

While the National Stadium pulsed with the roar of supporters in the stands for the National School Games (NSG) track and field championships on April 15, Jonathan Hoare stood apart in a moment of stillness.

- Sienna Yang

Jonathan Hoare (left) of Hwa Chong Institution beating Raffles Institution's Wang Qiyue to the line in the National School Games track and field championships A Division boys' 100m final at the National Stadium on April 15. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

(GIN TAY)

Admitting he was nervous while in his lane just before the A Division boys' 100m final, the Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) sprinter took a deep breath and crossed his arms tightly against his chest, ima gining there was a baby within his grasp.

The ritual to calm himself down worked a treat as the 17-year-old surged to victory in 10.81 seconds, ahead of Raffles Institution's (RI) Wang Qiyue (10.90sec) and defending champion Joshua Lee (10.98sec) of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).

Jonathan, who had also clinched the A Division boys' 200m title at Choa Chu Kang Stadium two days earlier, said: "I'm over the moon. Getting two golds in my first year of A Division feels like a really big accomplishment. Before this, my only golds were last year's B Division (in the 100m and 200m)."

Crediting his pre-race ritual as key to the victory, he said it was inspired by his idol, Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs who stunned the field to win the Tokyo Olympics 100m final in 2021.