Singapore Women's 4 x 100m sprinters look ahead to return of international competition at 82nd Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
Singapore women's 4 x 100m sprinters Clara Goh (left), Bernice Liew (centre) and Elizabeth Ann Tan. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Her journey into sprinting began at the age of 10. An adrenaline junkie, Singapore sprinter Clara Goh said sprinting gives her an "excitement that only competition can bring" and continues to fuel her on her journey as a national sprinter.
The former Temasek Polytechnic athlete is no stranger to the Singapore Open Track and Field Championships, having featured at the last edition that took place in 2019 before Covid-19 swept across the globe, cancelling most sports events.
Two years without international competition have made many athletes restless, and Goh is no different, champing at the bit ahead of the first Singapore Open in three years which is due to take place on 16-17 April 2022 at the Home of Athletics.
Clara Goh warming-up ahead of training at Home of Athletics. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
She said: "My favourite memory of the Singapore Open has to be running with all the international athletes who fight their hardest for their country. It is really an honour to be able to run with them."
In 2019, Goh was part of a talented quartet of young female sprinters who set a new national junior record for the women's 4x100m event in Clark, Philippines as part of a 30th SEA Games test event.
Their timing of 46.68sec lowered the previous record set by Jannah Wong, Kugapriya Chandran, Eugenia Tan and Shanti Pereira at the 2014 Asian Junior Championships in Taiwan by 0.1 sec, and they were rewarded with a place at the 30th SEA Games that December.
Singapore sprinter Elizabeth Ann Tan in action at Home of Athletics. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
As for Singapore Open debutants Bernice Liew and Elizabeth-Ann Tan, it is all about hitting their personal bests and remaining injury free.
The pair share an inseparable bond which begun from primary school, with the former Nanyang Girls making a name for themselves on the track in the National School Games, setting new records and bagging a multidue of titles for their school.
Elizabeth-Ann Tan shared: "It is something very special to be able to share my sprinting journey with Bernice since Primary School."
"To then go to the same Secondary School and Junior College and now be in the same National Team is incredible. We keep pushing each other to better timings and achievements."
Singapore sprinter Bernice Liew lacing up ahead of training. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Clara Goh, 22, could also relate, citing the ability to forge lasting friendships as the reason that she keeps going in her journey on the track.
When asked what their personal targets for next weekend's Singapore Open were, the trio chose to focus on their own performances instead of setting overly ambitious goals.
"We are both very excited, it's been a while since we've had international competition," exclaimed Elizabeth-Ann Tan.
Liew was in agreement, adding: "Even though we are very thrilled we are also very nervous, and we just hope we can do our best."
"So I hope to hit my personal best (PB) but also to take note of my form and concentrate on the race, so that I will have no regrets."
"Likewise, I hope to be able to execute my race plan well and stay injury free. If I can hit my PB that would be an added bonus," Tan finished.
The 82nd Singapore Open Track and Field Championships will take place from 16-17 April 2022 at the Home of Athletics, Stadium Boulevard, Singapore 397804.
The competition will be streamed live on Singapore Athletics' Facebook page, while specators are also allowed inside the venue to support and cheer on the athletes.