IT MAY have been just 0.29 second, but in sprinting speak, Masaki Nashimoto's winning margin on Friday was a mile. With arms outstretched three metres from the tape, the 15-year-old Japanese schoolboy celebrated his coronation as Asia's fastest youth.

The 2,500 spectators at Bishan Stadium roared in approval, even as home favourite Shahrir Anuar of the Singapore Sports School managed only third place.

In stuttering English, Masaki obliged reporters after.

'Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy,' the 1.64m-tall, 54kg Chiba native said, when asked what went through his mind during his 10.82sec effort, which left Thailand's Kittisak Phiraksa (11.11sec) and Shahrir (11.13sec) trailing.

Was it his best time? 'No. Strong wind. Very hot,' added the youngster, who can run the century sprint in 10.65sec.

His likes? Sushi, Ronaldo, Michael Jackson, mathematics and his girlfriend.

His family? The Funabashi High student is the youngest of three kids of a fisherman father and an engineer mother.

Masaki otherwise struggled in Friday's post-race interview. But for all he could not express, his legs did the talking.

His winning time would have ranked him seventh at the last World Youth Championships in the Czech Republic in 2007. His personal best would have earned him a bronze.

'My dream,' declared Masaki, 'is Olympic gold in 2016.'

Please read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times

jwang@sph.com.sg