By: Daryll Nanayakara

WHILE some athletes need only a few minutes to win a gold, Singapore sailor Darren Choy had to sustain his excellence for six long days.

Indeed, after he won his three opening races last Tuesday, he had set the bar very high for both himself and his rivals. But the 15-year-old easily fulfilled expectations by winning in all but two of the subsequent seven races.

In the penultimate day of the sailing competition yesterday, he was duly rewarded for his dominance as he bagged the gold in the Byte CII class, edging out his closest rival, Thailand's Supakon Pongwichean.

Compatriot Najwa Jumali also did the Republic proud, winning the silver in the girls' category of the same class.

Yesterday, Darren was all smiles as he returned to shore to the cheers of more than 30 fans waving Singapore flags.

Still, the Singapore Sports School student was humble about his win, saying: "I have done my part for Singapore by getting a medal. But, for now, this is just another step in my preparations for next year's Youth Olympic Games."

As for how he managed to win eight of the 10 races, he explained: "I kept my focus on my race. When it comes to sailing, I can go from being jovial to being extremely focused in a matter of seconds."

Indeed, he had to be at his best to fend off Supakon, who won the fourth and seventh races. But he said: "When Supakon won the fourth race, I took it as a challenge and I've kept him in sight since that race, as he was a direct threat.

"I was confident of a top-two finish, but I wanted the gold medal."

Such was his dominance that even if he had chosen not to race yesterday, the gold would still be his.

Given such results, would he still race?

"Of course. If I don't, I would be looking down on my competitors," he said.

"You must not shame your competitors. That is just basic sportsmanship."

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