Singapore's new generation of sprinters from the men's team are set to make their debuts at the 82nd Singapore Open Track and Field Championships after a three-year hiatus
Singapore sprinters Marc Brian Louis (left) and Sing Hui will be using the 82nd Singapore Open as preparation for the 31st SEA Games next month. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
He is the third fastest runner in the men's 100m on Singapore's all-time list, and gunning to become the fastest of all time.
At just 20 years of age, Marc Brian Louis has already won gold for the 400m hurdles at the Asian Youth Athletics Championships, rewritten multiple national records for the 110m hurdles and 100m sprint, and competed at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2021.
So with the 82nd Singapore Open Track and Field Championships just around the corner and the 31st SEA Games coming up in Hanoi next month, just what exactly is this Singapore track star looking forward to the most?
Rising star Marc Brian Louis is the third fastest Singaporean man in the all-time 100m list. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
"I'm excited to be able to run with some of Singapore's best runners again. It excites me that most of them are going to be fast because when I go into local competitions, I don't always have many runners who can really push me," said Louis with a smile.
His timing of 10.39sec set on 11 December 2021 broke the men's U20 100m record, and was just 0.02sec shy of the senior mark - a 20 year-old Singapore record held by UK Shyam. His time was also just 0.04sec off Malaysian Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi's 2019 SEA Games winning time.
Marc Brian Louis is targeting to break Singapore's 20 year-old 100m record held by UK Shyam at the upcoming SEA Games in Hanoi. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Louis will be making his Singapore Open debut next week in the 100m and 200m events at the Home of Athletics, and while he is not certain he will go under the all-time 100m mark next week, he hopes to be able to do so by the time the Southeast Asian Games rolls around next month.
"I feel that I will probably me more hyped up for the SEA Games, so I am a bit more confident that it might happen then (breaking the record), but not so much for the Singapore Open."
His team mate Sing Hui on the other hand, also making his Singapore Open debut, considers himself a late developer and only started sprinting during his university days.
"Back in NUS I stayed in Kent Ridge Hall, and in order to stay in hall for subsequent years you have to join multiple CCAs. Track and field was one of those CCAs, and I guess I've not looked back since."
Sing Hui considers himself a late bloomer, having only picked up sprinting during his university days. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Five years Louis' senior, Sing Hui will be competing in the 100m and 4 x 100m events at the 82nd Singapore Open, and is also making his SEA Games bow in Hanoi next month.
Said the 25 year-old, "I'm really excited to be making my debut at the Singapore Open and SEA Games."
"Singapore has went through a lot the last two years, and the Singapore Open is a great opportunity for us to rekindle the fire for Singapore sports in the nation."
Sprinter Sing Hui will be competing in the men's 100m and 4 x 100m events at the Singapore Open. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Choosing to focus on himself instead of his competitors, Sing Hui added: "Athletics is a very personal and unique sport. Going into every race, I just aim to give my best and hope to achieve my personal best."
Sing Hui's uniquely interesting story of how he began his sprinting journey has turned a few heads, and certainly gives hope to many that it is never too late to begin on your journey.
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.