Hangzhou 2022: Spark reignited as Kam battles it out with high jump greats

By Jeremiah Ong

The Asian Games athletics programme drew to a close for Team Singapore’s track and field athletes on Wednesday (Oct 4) with high jumper Kampton Kam equalling his season-best of 2.15 metres.

That leap put him in 11th in the men’s high jump final but the result barely mattered to Kam, who made the final off the back of many tough off-track situations.

On his performance, Kam said: “I honestly can’t complain! It has been a year of tribulations – finding out my mum has cancer, multiple injuries that set me back many times and one that I was out for four months at the start of the year.

“I felt that I managed to execute the plan well given that I changed to this run-up only a month and a half ago. (But) there’s still a ton of room for improvement for the upcoming year in the Ivy League conference and NCAAs (National Collegiate Athletic Association).”

Kam equalled his season best of 2.15m in the men’s high jump final. (Photo: SportSG/ Bryan Foo)

The University of Pennsylvania student admitted that he could have kept his cool better while competing with high jump greats like triple world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim and Diamond League champion Woo Sanghyeok.

“I’m just elated to be jumping a season’s best at the stage that mattered with my high jump heroes Barshim and Woo.”

He added: “It feels amazing, these are two jumpers that I have seen on television numerous times and it’s just such an amazing opportunity to be able to compete in the same field as them at such a big stage. I’m truly blessed and will look back on this with fond memories.”

Kam celebrating after successfully making a jump. (Photo: SportSG/ Bryan Foo)

Barshim took top spot in the final with a Games record-equalling jump of 2.35m, with the previous record also set by him nine years ago in Incheon. Woo settled for silver after hitting 2.33m.

But it was not just memories that Kam took away with him.

The 22-year-old’s first foray at the Asian Games competing against world-class jumpers has only made him more fired up.

“I felt that I regained the spark that I lost from being injured this whole season and disappointing so many people.

“But in the meantime, I’m going to take a short break after this long season to rest and recuperate. We will take it one step at a time for Indoors back at (the University of Pennsylvania) and I’m excited (about) this upcoming season in the U.S. It’s back to the drawing board and to plan our campaign for (the) Paris Olympics,” Kam said.

Kam will have to hit the books when he returns to America, with exams looming ahead. Then he will enjoy a two-week break, before heading into fall training to prepare for the upcoming indoor and outdoor season.

As Team Singapore’s track and field team leave Hangzhou, they can take pride in breaking a long-standing medal drought that lasted 49 years with national sprint queen Shanti Pereira front and centre of the historic feat after bagging silver and gold.

Singapore's last athletics medals came at the 1974 Games, where the team won gold in the women’s 400m, silver in the women’s 4x400m relay and double bronze in the 4x100m relay for both genders.

The 19th Asian Games are held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.