HARD-WORKING: ITE College Central's Choo Hong Xuan won the Gold Medal for the IT Software Solutions for Business at the WorldSkills Singapore 2016.

Isolated by his friends and experiencing relationship problems, he was slowly afflicted with depression.

His interest in information technology (IT) was what kept his spirits up and offered him a lifeline.

Mr Choo Hong Xuan, 19, a student at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central, then devoted his time on honing his IT skills.

It paid off as he won the Gold Medal in the WorldSkills Singapore (WSS) last Friday for the IT Software Solutions for Business category.

The WSS offers a platform for ITE and polytechnic students to test their technical proficiency against international standards.

This year, there were 150 participants in 17 skill areas that included cooking and mechatronics.

Gold medallists from each category will represent Singapore in the WorldSkills Competition (WSC) in Abu Dhabi in October next year.

Last year, Team Singapore clinched a record number of one Silver Medal, two Bronze Medals, and 14 Medallions for Excellence in the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

In WSS, Mr Choo beat five other competitors to clinch the gold medal over three days of competition.

He performed a series of tasks related to the Singapore Air Show desktop application, to better manage booking and customer service.

To fight his depression, Mr Choo spent more time studying.

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For four months, he would head to his school's laboratory every school day to prepare for the competition.

He said: "I practised past year papers and identified the gaps in my knowledge every school day for two to three hours. It was tiring, but I had to give it my best shot."

His depression started in Secondary 3, when he fell out with close friends, which made him feel lonely.

In 2014, he experienced relationship issues with a girl, which worsened his condition.

At ITE, his grades dropped from 3.7 in the previous semester to 1.6 that term.

Mr Choo said: "Sometimes I'd cry, but most of the time, I would just think.

"I once sat on the pavement in Sembawang. Passers-by asked me if I was okay, but my mind was just blank."

Today, his studies and prescribed medication have helped him excel at school.

Mr Lim Chin Heng, 40, his course instructor and Info-communication Technology lecturer, said: "Hong Xuan put in more than 10 hours of training per week and would read programming books and sites over the weekend.

"Despite being mentally exhausted at times, he really went above and beyond in his training."

Mr Choo added: "I feel much more confident now. I feel like I'm a step closer to becoming a successful person."

I feel much more confident now. I feel like I'm a step closer to becoming a successful person.

- ITE student Choo Hong Xuan