As Singapore marks 60 years, we celebrate not only milestones, but the individuals who redefine our limits. On 30 May 2025, at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, 24-year-old Thiruben Thana Rajan emerged as a national trailblazer.
In the men’s 800 m heats, he clocked 1:49.94—eclipsing the long-standing 1:50.56 record set by Sinnathambi Pandian in 1987, and becoming the first Singaporean ever to break 1:50 in the event.
“Everything Fell Into Place Today”
Reflecting on his run, Thiruben shared with CNA:
“Everything fell into place for me today… I achieved exactly what I set out to do, which was to break the national record and be the first Singaporean under 1:50.”
He described his strategy as a fearless, front-loaded race, pushing hard from the gun—a style that reflected both preparation and boldness.
A Calculated Leap from 400 m to 800 m
Thiruben initially made his mark as a 400 m runner, holding the national U‑18 record (47.91 s) and the schools 800 m record (1:55.40 s). In early 2024, he made the strategic decision to transition to 800 m, a move that demanded greater endurance, tactical pacing, and psychological resilience.
The switch paid off dramatically—the Gumi performance slashing his previous personal best (1:51.28) clocked at the Singapore Open just a month earlier.
History in the Making
Though Thiruben placed 6th in his heat and did not advance, the record-breaking mark alone was historic—offering a long-awaited breakthrough for Singapore middle-distance running.
His time now stands as the official national outdoor record (1:49.94), joining the official list which includes past marks such as Surendra Subramani’s hand‑timed 1:49.9 from 1983.
Thiruben’s Milestone Sets the Pace for Singapore’s Sporting Future
Thiruben’s story is a reminder that SG60 isn’t just reflecting on the past—it’s accelerating toward new possibilities. His record:
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Reaffirms that Singaporeans can excel in high-performance sports, not just academics or tech.
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Inspires the next generation of athletes to chase personal bests—on track and off.
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Reflects how strategic support and dedicated coaching can unlock long-dormant potential.
