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Schooling, Quah vow to come back strong at SEA Games

SINGAPORE — They were unable to achieve the targets they set for themselves at last week’s Fina World Championships, but national swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen are determined to move on from their disappointing results in Budapest and come back even stronger.

While the SEA Games may not be as prestigious as the world championships or the Olympics, both Quah Zheng Wen (left) and Joseph Schooling insist they will treat it seriously as they look to get back on track in their quest for gold at future major competitions. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

While the SEA Games may not be as prestigious as the world championships or the Olympics, both Quah Zheng Wen (left) and Joseph Schooling insist they will treat it seriously as they look to get back on track in their quest for gold at future major competitions. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

SINGAPORE — They were unable to achieve the targets they set for themselves at last week’s Fina World Championships, but national swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen are determined to move on from their disappointing results in Budapest and come back even stronger.

And the duo will have the perfect opportunity to do just that later this month, when they compete at the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Schooling, who won gold in the 100m butterfly at last year’s Olympic Games, had initially set his sights on winning gold in the event and breaking Michael Phelps’ world record of 49.82sec.

The 22-year-old got off to a promising start when he set two Asian records in the 50m fly en route to finishing fifth, but he eventually won bronze in the 100m fly, his pet event, with American Caeleb Dressel and home favourite Kristof Milak claiming the gold and silver medals, respectively.

Quah also endured a disappointing campaign, as he missed out on reaching the semi-finals of all five events he competed in. He had set himself the target of reaching at least one final.

While the SEA Games may not boast the same prestige or level of competition as the world championships or the Olympics, both Schooling and Quah insist they will treat it seriously as they look to get back on track in their quest for gold at future major competitions.

Schooling and Quah returned from Budapest on Tuesday (Aug 1) afternoon to a low-key reception at Changi Airport Terminal 1, as information about their arrival was not made public beforehand.

Despite looking visibly tired from the long-haul flight, the two still fielded questions from the media, and also obliged requests for wefies from people at the airport.

“The SEA Games will be a good meet to see where I’m at after the world championships, to see how fit I am,” said Schooling, who won nine golds at the 2015 Games and will be competing in six events at this year’s edition.

“My target will once again be to win all my events and do the best I can for Singapore.

“We’ve (Singapore) always had a great swimming tradition at the SEA Games. We have a young but solid group going, so I think we have the potential and the chance to do something special at the coming SEA Games.

“The 2015 Games was so great for us, but I think it’ll be nice to go to Malaysia’s backyard and teach them a thing or two. We’re all looking forward to it, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Schooling reiterated his desire to one day break Michael Phelps’ 100m fly world record, although he added that he does not intend to do so at the SEA Games.

“My world championships disappointment is going to be on my mind till I do something good the next time, but until then, I’m going to use it as motivation ... I think this is what I needed to get back on track.

“I’ll definitely be making another attempt at the world record. I don’t think it’ll be at the SEA Games, but definitely at my next big meet, maybe the Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games. I don’t want to put a timestamp on when I’m going to do it, but that’s what I’m looking at for sure.”

Quah also welcomed the chance to get straight back into competitive racing, and revealed that he would use the Games to try new methods to improve his timings.

“The SEA Games is another opportunity for me to race, although it’s not going to mean the same thing to me as it was at World Championships,” said the 20-year-old who will take part in seven events. He won seven golds in 2015.

“I think I’ll be able to get back into the swing of things as soon as I get over my jet lag and tiredness.

“It’s always an honour to represent Singapore (at the Games), and it’ll give me a chance to do better in certain things. I’ll be trying out new race plans and hopefully everything goes well.”

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