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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Inter-Constituency 4.3 km Road Run (31/07/2010)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

Reported by Pramod Kukanur

Marissa Sng Rui He - A Story on Resilience

In the recent Inter-Constituency 4.3km Road Run, held on 31st July 2010, Taman Jurong Constituency won the championship by obtaining 55 points. The first runners-up for the team event was procured by Potong Pasir Constituency, which had a total point of 94. With 108 points, Yio Chu Kang Constituency came in third.

 In the Inter-Constituency Road Run, what was very striking was, Marissa, from Bendemeer Secondary School, did her school and her constituency proud by coming in overall 7th in the Women's Open individual section with a time of 20min 06.72sec. Pauline Elizabeth Mulroy came in first with a time of 18min 14.09sec. Second position and third position was Phua Hua Qin and Winona Howe, with a time of 18min 47.23sec and 18min 54.27sec, respectively. In the Men Open section, Giriber Swaminathan came in first with a time of 14min 14.97sec.

 In the National Schools' Cross-Country Championships 2010, Marissa shares her bad memories of how she was disadvantaged and in this Inter-Constituency Road Run, she proved to everyone that she is a force to be reckoned with, from her recent successful performance.

Picture 1 - Marissa Sng, beaming with a smile with her recent performance (7 pos) by being the youngest to come in top 10 in the Women Open individual section.


I interviewed her mother first before interviewing Marissa.

An Interview with Jenny Sng, the mother of Marissa.

How did your daughter fair in this competition?
I am happy with her progress so far. It is a breakthrough for greater achievements to come. I think she is right on track in her training programme and I am glad she is gaining ground for all her hard work.

What are your feelings about this competition?
During her last National School Inter-school Cross Country 2010, she was blocked by a competitor from one of the top cross-country school, from start till nearly the end of the competition. The officials were thinly spread throughout the route and were not able to witness this. It is sad, that the girl could get away with cheating. Marissa could have done well if these sort of unsporting actions were not present. Marissa told me that she has seen this girl running near Alexandra Road.


In the u14 boys' race, it was also surprising to find that another boy from her school also encountered elbowing at the 3km mark by another top school, wearing brown kind of singlet. I think for the good of Singapore athletics, teachers and coaches should guide and emphasize the core values of sports namely sportsmanship, excellence and friendship in their athletes.


I am satisfied and happy with the way the competition was conducted. As a parent, I feel that the Inter-Constituency competition was run/conducted in a fair manner. My daughter enjoyed the race a lot.

An Interview With Marissa Sng Rui He
What was your position for the race?
My position for the race was 7th.


What was your timing for this race?
My timing was 20min 06sec.

Which category did you take part in?
I took part in the Women's Open category.



How was the weather like during the race?
It was really hot!

What is your age now?
I'm 15 years old now.

Did you enjoy the race?
Yup, I enjoyed it (:

What position did your team get?
1st runner up

Are you happy with your result?
I'm very happy (:


How did your family felt about your result?
They were very proud of me. They congratulated me on my achievement.

Do you have anything to say about today's race?
In April, in the National Schools' Cross-Country Championships 2010, I was actually blocked by a girl, from the start of the race to nearly the end. In fact, I know the girl and the school the girl is from. In the past, I was really sad for not doing well as the girl did not make me run fairly. I trained so hard and this was what happened to me. With the Inter-Constituency Road Run 2010, I am erasing all my bad memories of the past. I am really delighted to know that I am the youngest in the Women's Open section by getting the seventh position, in the top ten category. My team was proud of me as they took my timing and we won 1st runner up for the team category. My team is Potong Pasir Constituency.


Note:

By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).


He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

3000m Steeplechase Women's Record broken in Stockholm - 7th August 2010



Pic 1 Zarudneva of Russia (1st) 9min 17.79sec



Pic 2 Milcah Chemos (2nd) 9min 19.32



Picture 3- Lydia Jebet  (3rd) 9min 21. 25sec

Diamond League in Stockholm (Women Record As At 6th August 2010)

100 m10.90 (+1.9 m/s)Irina Privalova Russia12 July 1994
200 m22.00 (-0.3 m/s)Sherone Simpson Jamaica25 July 2006
400 m49.70Allyson Felix United States7 August 2007
800 m1:56.71Maria Mutola Mozambique5 August 1998
1000 m2:30.72Maria Mutola Mozambique10 July 1995
1500 m3:57.12Mary Decker United States4 July 1983
Mile4:24.6Silvana Cruciata Italy8 July 1981
3000 m8:24.66Meseret Defar Ethiopia25 July 2006
5000 m14:12.88Meseret Defar Ethiopia22 July 2008
10000 m31:07.34Meseret Defar Ethiopia31 July 2009
100 m hurdles12.42 (+1.1 m/s)Gail Devers United States16 July 2002
400 m hurdles54.27Genowefa Błaszak Poland2 July 1985
3000 m steeplechase9:17.59Yuliya Zarudneva Russia6 August 2010

Diamond League in Stockholm (Records As At 6th August 2010)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Event/Record/Athlete/Nationality/Date


Picture 1 - Tyson Gay (Winner) and Usain Bolt (Second) in the 100m race


100 m 9.84 (0.0 m/s) ....Tyson Gay ...........United States ....6 Aug 2010

200 m 19.77 (+0.6 m/s) Michael Johnson... United States ....8 July 1996

400 m 43.50 ................Jeremy Wariner..... United States ....7 Aug 2007

800 m 1:41.73............. Wilson Kipketer......Denmark ..........7 July 1997

1000 m 2:13.93............. Abubaker Kaki .......Khamis Sudan ..22 Jul 2008

1500 m 3:29.30 .............Hicham El Guerrouj......... Morocco ........7 July 1997

Mile 3:51.32 ..............John Kibowen ........Kenya ..............5 Aug 1998

2000 m 4:50.08 ..............Noah Ngeny ...........Kenya .............30 Jul 1999

3000 m 7:25.79 ..............Kenenisa Bekele .....Ethiopia ..........7 Aug 2007

5000 m 12:51.60 ............Daniel Komen ........Kenya ..............8 Jul 1996

10000 m 27:07.91 ............Richard Chelimo.......Kenya ...........5 July 1993

3000 m steeplechase 7:59.42 .......Paul  Koech........ Kenya  7 Aug 2007

110 m hurdles 12.91 (+0.2 m/s) Dayron Robles..........Cuba.............22 July 2008

400 m hurdles 47.65 .............Bershawn Jackson........United States 6 Aug 2010

Picture 2 -  Bershawn shatters the 400m record in 47.65sec


Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Dronacharya the Great - Stories from the East (On Focus)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Dronacharya - The Guru of Archery


Picture 1 - Focus is the same as having a tunnel vision

Dronacharya and Arjuna
Once Dronacharya (Drona is a name, Acharya means teacher) was having lessons on archery and he found that some of the people learning under him looked very unhappy with the treatment that they were given. These people were mainly the Kauravas, a hundred in total. They were also having the 5 vices in them - namely; lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. There were also 5 Pandavas in the archery group who were godly in their character. However, the Pandavas usually trusted Dronacharya more than the Kauravas. The Pandavas and the Kauravas were in actual fact relations.


Within the Pandavas, Dronacharya was very fond of Arjuna (the name means a man without the 5 vices). Arjuna was diligent in archery and was able to master it fast. Arjuna had very high regard for his master, Dronacharya. For him, his master's word was everything. He never doubted his master even once. He had absolute faith and trust in Dronacharya.

Picture 2 - Dronacharya was an expert in archery in the Mahabharatha Story


Dronacharya, over time, seeing the unhappiness that was taking place remained unperturbed by his actions and stayed confident as a Guru as he felt that he was doing the correct thing. He wanted the group to learn some lessons on life. He decided to call the Pandavas and the Kauravas together.


He told the group to stand in one line and stand distant from a big tree. The Kauravas and the Pandavas followed this instruction implicitly. Dronacharya told each of them to come to the front towards him and take a bow and arrow. Subsequently, they are to look at the tree where was a toy bird and shoot at the stationary bird.


One by one the people came in front. Dronacharya asked one by one what they can see before the shot is taken. However, he gave specific instruction and said, "Look up at the tree and focus on the bird and shoot it". One of the Kauravas was asked, "What do you really see?" The first person said that he can see the bird. Drona asked, "What else can you see?" The first person was very happy in answering as the question was easy to answer and said, " I can also see the tree leaves, the surrounding trees, the grass." Drona questioned one by one and asked the rest of them the same question again and again. The tedious process went for some time. The Kauravas were giving the same kind of answers, even the Pandavas.


After 100 of the Kuavaras and 4 of the Pandavas had finished answering, finally Arjuna was called upon by Master Drona to come forward to the forefront and carry the bow and arrow. Drona asked, " Arjuna, can you see the bird?." Arjuna, with a lot of reverence, said," Yes Master, I can see the bird'. Drona questioned," What else can you see?". Arjuna replied, "I can only see the bird". Drona repeated asked, "What else can you see, Arjuna? Arjuna, again answered confidently," My obedience to you Master, I can see only the bird." Drona asked him whether he could see anything besides the bird. He asked, "How about the surrounding, the grass, the sky". To this Arjuna told, " Master, you told me to see only the bird, I can only see the bird and nothing else.

Picture 3 - Arjuna could only see the bird and nothing else in front of him

With this statement, Drona told Arjuna to shoot the bird. Arjuna shot the arrow and it went straight towards where the small toy bird was and hit it right on the spot. With this, the rest of them realised that the mistake for them not improving in archery lies in themselves in not being focused and it also showed that Arjuna was a very focused person and a willing learner. Most of the Kauravas realised their mistake of not having a focused mind. This episode taught them why Arjuna was close at heart to Master Dronacharya.


Moral of the Story
A focused person can accomplish anything if they put their heart, mind and soul in it. Focus is simply staying in the direction of achieving our goal. Another way to say this is to stay away from the distractions which are outside us. In this world, there are many things to distract us away from the goal and will just make us stray away from our ultimate goals. A focused mind reminds us of taking a car ride on the highway and reaching a place earlier and distraction is like taking a bus which stops at every single bus stop and reaches the destination later. This matters to us most when you want to know who reached the destination earlier by coming in first and who comes in second. The story also shows how devoted Arjuna was towards Master Dronacharya.

Picture 4 - Arjuna, the main character of Mahabharata, winning the war


5-10minutes practise on the white dot in the centre.

This practice will develop focus to a certain extent. It is one of the ways to improve focus. Focus only in the centre of the diagram.

Picture 5 - How to practise for developing focus



Note:

By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Improving Standing Broad Jump (Stretching)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

These exercise stretches the hip flexor and loosens the muscle there.

Picture 1 - Pulling one leg towards your chest (20sec right leg and 20sec left leg) and then pull two legs in (20sec) as in the diagram

Picture Two - One leg Knee Pulling in exercise with variation

Picture 3 - Hip flexor lunge stretch (the front foot and back feet is straight)

Picture 4 - Variation to Hip Flexor Lunge Stretch


Picture 5 - Hip flexor stretch (pulling one leg by holding the feet area as shown in the diagram)


Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

African Athletics Championships 2010 (28 July - 1 Aug)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Picture 1 - African Athletics Championships 2010 (28 July to 1 August )


Kenya - Invincible in the African Athletics Championships 2010

Men's Race

800m Race
In the men's 800m, the Kenyan runners came in 1st, 2nd and third. David Rudisha broke the championships record by doing 1min 42.84sec. Alfred Kirwa and Jackson Kivuva came in 2nd and 3rd with a seasonal best time of 1min 44.85sec and 1min 45.47sec respectively.

Picture 2 - David has a personal best of 1min 41. 52sec for 800m race.



1500m Race
In the 1500m men's race, Kenya, Morocco and Ethiopia were fighting for 1st, 2nd and third and this race was the most dramatic race. The Kenyan crowd were very happy to see their countryman winning the race. Asbel Kiprop came with a time of 3min 36.19sec, breaking the African Championships record. Moroccon runner Amine Laalou did a time of 3min 36.38sec. Ethiopian runner came with a time of 3min 36.65sec.

Picture 3 - Asbel Kiprop - Retains his No 1  in the 1500m race in African Athletics Championships


3000m Steeplechase Event
In the Kenyan favourite event, the 3000m steeplechase event, Richard Mateelong ran and came in first with a time of 8min 23.54sec. His fellow countryman by the name of Ezekiel Kemboi did a time of 8min 26.13 and came in second for the event fending off Roba Gary Chubeta of Ethiopia to the third position. Watch Richard winning Ezekiel and Roba in the 3000m steeplechase race for men.

Picture 4 - Richard Mateelong is first for the 3000m steeplechase race


http://tv.eurosport.pt/athletics/tv-videos_vid143929.shtml

5000m Race
In the 5000m race, surprisingly, the Kenyans by the name of Edwin Soi, Vincent Yator and Mark Kiptoo dominated the race by coming in 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the event with a time of 13min 30.46sec, 13min 30.53sec and 13min 32.45sec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOdEEuHjj-0

Picture 4 - Edwin Cheruiyot Soi of Kenya and Uganda's Moses Kipsiro in action during the competition

10000m Race
In the 10000m race, Wilson Kiprop did very well by coming in first with a time of 27min 32.91sec. Moses Kipsiro from Uganda came in second with a time of 27min 33. 37sec. Coming in third was another Kenyan by the name of Geoffrey Mutai with a time of 27min 33.83sec. Watch the 10000m men's race in u tube below.

Picture 5 - Wilson Kiprop raises the Kenyan flag after he won in the 10000m finals in a time of 27min 32.91sec.




African Athletics Championships 2010 (Women's Race)

800m Race
Algeria's Zahra Bouras with all might came from behind to win the women's 800 metres. Bouras outpaced favourite Janeth Chepkosgei, who led the race from the start, at the finish line to take the gold from the Kenyan in 2:00.22. Matika Akkaoui of Morocco came in third with a time of 2min.01.01, which was a  personal best of her own.

1500m Race
In the 1500m race, Nancy Jebet Lagat from Kenya came in first with a time of 4min 10.43sec. She beat Gelete Burka Bati from Ethiopia, who did 4min 11.12sec. The third was Btissam Lakhouad from Ethiopia who did a time of 4min 11.81sec.

Picture 6- Nancy Jebet Lagat won the 1500 metre final at the 2008 Summer Olympics in a personal best time of 4:00.23.


3000m Steeplechase Race

In the women's 3,000 metre steeplechase, Kenya's Milcah Chemos set a new championship record of 9:32.18 after a tough challenge from Sofia Abebe of Ethiopia. Another Kenyan runner by the name of Lydiah Rotich came 3rd doing a time of 9min 37.32sec and achieving a seasonal best for the event.  The previous record of 9:44.58 was set by Ethiopia's Zemzem Ahmed at the 2008 African Championships.

Picture 7 - Milcah Chemos Cheywa of Kenya, breaking the African Athletics Championships Record


5000m Race
In the 5000m event, Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya came with a time of 16min 18.72sec and won the two Ethiopian runners by the name of Meseret Defar (16min 20. 54sec) and Sentayehu Ejigu (16min 22.32sec) who came in second and third, respectively. 
Picture 8 - Vivian Cheruiyot, after winning the 5000m race in Nyayo Stadium


10000m Race
In the 10000m race, double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia beat world champion Linet Masai of Kenya in the women's 10,000 meters at the African Athletics Championships on Saturday. Tirunesh Dibaba did Ethiopia proud by coming in as the only gold medalist for the race. The time posted by her was 31min 51.39sec. Meseleeh Melkamu also is from Ethiopia came in second with a time of 31min 55.50sec. In the third position, Linet Masai of Kenya came in third by also doing a seasonal best of 31min 59.36sec.


Picture 09 - Tirunesh Dibaba - Turning the Table around to Kenyans by coming in first for 10000m Race. Dibaba trailed for most the race before outsprinting Masai on the last lap to win in 31 minutes, 51.39 seconds.


Overall Medal Tally (Final Tally)
1. Kenya.......... 10 Gold, 7 Silver, 8 Bronze Total 25 medals
2. Nigeria.......... 8 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze Total 18 medals
3. South Africa.. 6 Gold, 7 Silver, 6 Bronze Total 19 medals
4. Egypt ............4 Gold, 2 silver, 3 Bronze Total 9 medals
5. Algeria ..........3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze Total 8 medals
6. Morocco....... 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze Total 6 medals
7. Botswana...... 2Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze Total 3 medals
8. Tunisia.......... 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze Total 3 medals
9. Ethiopia......... 1Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze Total 9 medals

Ethiopia's performance this year in the African Athletics Championships 2010 (28 July to 1st Aug)
Ethiopia had to settle for 9th place in the just concluded 2010 African Athletics Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya. Ethiopia's sole gold medal was won by Double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba in the 10,000m race finishing in 31 minutes, 51.39 seconds. Ethiopia had a total of nine medals with 1 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze, which places it as 9th overall in the medal table. Host nation Kenya tops the medal table with 25 medals including 10 gold medals, the best showing of any country.

Picture 10 - Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, out of action because of injury



Ethiopia was without its world and Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele, who did not compete due to injuries.

More than 700 athletes from 53 African countries took part. Nigeria finished second with 18 medals and South Africa was third with 9 medals.


Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.