The 44th Singapore National Age Group (SNAG) 2013 was competed few months ago and the competition took place in Singapore Sports School Swimming Complex.Wong Jun Bin, who has just crossed the causeway in Jan 2013 to take up the scholarship to further his secondary studies in Singapore Sports School, progressed well in the SNAG.
Jun Bin, who trained under China coach, Coach He Tinglan for 2 years since end of 2010 under the PRAKL swimmers' development program has impressive swim records in Malaysia prior to his venture across the border. Coupled with his good academic achievements, that made him a successful recipient of the full scholarship offered by Singapore Sports School at the start of this year.
Prior to this he was coached by IBSC Head Coach, Coach Shazali Salleh.
Jun Bin realised that if he wanted to achieve something, he really needs to work hard for it as there's no short cut to success.
Adapting well to a change of environment in a boarding school, in a matter of less than 3 months, Jun Bin's results in the SNAG speaks for itself. Under the boys 13-14 years category, Jun Bin garnered 1 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze in the annual championship. His results are tabulated below.
Event
|
Prelim Time
|
Final Time
|
Gold
|
Silver
|
Bronze
|
800m Freestyle
|
8:47.94
|
1
|
|||
200m Freestyle
|
2:01.66
|
2:01.22
|
1
|
||
100m Butterfly
|
1:01.59
|
1:02.00
|
1
|
||
400m Freestyle
|
4:18.26
|
4:13.60
|
1
|
||
200m Butterfly
|
2:15.28
|
2:14.00
|
1
|
||
1500m Freestyle
|
17:19.81
|
1
|
When asked to describe his experience in the NAG of Singapore compared to Malaysia, Jun Bin has this to say. "Although Singapore is smaller, there are many good swimmers here. So it's challenging for me. In SNAG, I was most satisfied with my 800m freestyle despite being my first time swimming in that event, I managed to swim a good time to get a gold medal."
In the sports school, soft-spoken Jun Bin trains 2 sessions a day and because everything is self-contained in the school, he can do a lot of things in a day. He adapted extremely well in juggling the training with his studies and he finds the schedule in the school very productive even though sometimes it can be tiring.
Jun Bin's first overseas competition was the 36th SEA Age Group Swimming Championship 2012 in Palembang last year, where it was an eye-opening experience for him. During the 36th SEAAG, Jun Bin has the height of his achievement when he secured 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze. "It was quite exciting experience as I could see a lot of outstanding swimmers from the SEA region. The competition is much more intense", he said.
 |
| Jun Bin (far right) with team mates and Coach Shazali (left) during the 36th SEAAG in Palembang |
Jun Bin credited both his parents and coach equally for his success as they have played a big role in his swimming career and contributed a lot of time for him.
He keeps his aim high and set his next target to swim faster than some of the national swimmers.
To the younger swimmers, he advises "Train hard consistently and do what your coach tells you to do."
 |
| Proud father, Wong senior with Jun Bin |
Swimming Meet
|
Meet Record
|
Gold
|
Silver
|
Bronze
|
2007 (Group 5)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
1
|
|||
2008 (Group 5)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
1
|
4
|
||
MSSS (Under 10)
|
1
|
1
|
||
2009 (Group 4)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
2
|
4
|
||
MSSS (Under 13)
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
2010 (Group 4)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
5
|
3
|
||
2011 (Group 3)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
3
|
2
|
||
MSSS (Under 13)
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
|
MSSM (Under 13)
|
2
|
3
|
||
Sports Excel Grand Final
|
1
|
|||
47th NAG
|
1
|
1
|
||
2012 (Group 3)
|
||||
PRAKL
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
|
MSSS (Under 15)
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
MSSM (Under 15)
|
1
|
|||
Sports Excel Grand Final
|
4
|
1
|
||
48th NAG
|
1
|
7
|
2
|
|
36th SEA Age Group
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
|
2013 (Group 2)
|
||||
44th SNAG, Singapore
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
|
49th NAG
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Here are some facts about Wong Jun Bin :
Year of birth
|
:
|
1999
|
First learned swimming
|
:
|
6 years old
|
First selection as KL state swimmer
|
:
|
10 years old
|
First overseas competition
|
:
|
36th SEA Age Group Swimming Championship in 2012, at 12
years old
|
Favourite swim stroke
|
:
|
Freestyle
|
Least favourite stroke
|
:
|
Breaststroke
|
Favourite swimming idol
|
:
|
Ian Thorpe
|
Favourite subjects in school
|
:
|
Maths and Science
|
Favourite past time
|
:
|
Watch movie/TV
|
Favourite food
|
:
|
Western
|
Ambition
|
:
|
To be an Olympian
|
 |
| Group photo with Ian Thorpe who visited the Singapore Sports School |
 |
| Jun Bin on lane 4 during SNAG's 400m freestyle final |
 |
| 54th National Schools Swimming Championships 2013 in Singapore |
 |
| Jun Bin (second from right) with Inter-Schools relay team members from Singapore Sports School |
* photos courtesy of Wong Kam Yuen
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