SINGAPORE – Less is definitely more for Victoria Junior College (VJC) student Conrad Emery, who made a quantum leap with an A Division boys’ long jump record at the National School Games (NSG) track and field championships on April 12.

The 17-year-old’s effort of 7.36m eclipsed the previous mark of 7.26m by Hwa Chong Institution’s Abel Lee in 2022, and was also a significant improvement from his winning jump of 6.73m in 2023.

Conrad attributed the gain to more rest and a less congested training schedule.

Now he trains three times a week in school, with one to two days of rest in between, and he felt fresher and more explosive on competition day.

“Last year, my training schedule was tight and I wasn’t very comfortable with my technique, so I was mostly obsessing over trying to fix that. That came with the cost of not being able to take days off for proper rest,” he said.

“This year, I’m quite confident in myself, and I also have more rest and preparation.”

Still, the record was something unexpected. He added: “I always had the record in mind since last year, but jumping a 7.36 was unimaginable. The only thing I had in my mind was jumping far and feeling good about my jumps.

“When I first saw the distance, I was speechless and overcome with emotions, then I started laughing.”

Conrad, whose Swiss father is a permanent resident while his mother is a Singaporean, also benefited from switching to the long jump after starting off eight years ago with the high jump.

In 2022, he finished fifth in the B boys’ high jump, and thoughts of quitting crossed his mind.

But, after he won the silver in the long jump days later, Victoria School coach Yu Long Nyu convinced him to change course.

Former women’s national long jump record holder Yu said: “I suggested that, since he has the power and speed, let’s focus on the long jump and see how far he could go.”

As it turned out, the move allowed him to propel him to new distances. 

“I was losing passion for the sport,” Conrad admitted. “I was still stuck between high jump and long jump then, and the split between my focus made me unsure how to progress.

“Setting a personal best in long jump (in 2022) reinvigorated me, and I realised there are new ways I can excel at this.

“It was a very difficult decision to make,” said Conrad.

“But ultimately, if I really wanted to get serious about the sport, and I really wanted to do something incredible, I’d have to give it my all by focusing on the long jump.”

That drive also saw Conrad giving up wakeboarding in 2023, a recreational hobby he enjoyed since he was 14, because of the risk of injury.

“It was a very injury-prone sport. It’s a hard decision, but the right one.”

Buoyed by the NSG record, Conrad is now eyeing the men’s national record of 7.62m, set by Matthew Goh in 2009.

Yu said Conrad’s next target for 2024 is 7.60m to 7.70m, with an 8m goal moving forward.

VJC jumps coach Fuad Idris, who works closely with Yu, added of the promising youngster: “We know that he’s driven to improve... There is still more to come from Conrad.”

He will next compete at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships in Dubai from April 24 to 27.