Swimmer Quah opts to train, study in the US in Olympic quest

SINGAPORE — After months of silence on his post-Olympic plans, national swimmer Quah Zheng Wen has chosen to pursue his studies and training at the University of California, Berkeley, in his bid for medal glory at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

It was revealed on Tuesday (Jan 10) that Quah, who has also been accepted to study medicine at the National University of Singapore, will leave for the United States on Thursday. 

The 20-year-old, who is not going to study medicine in the US, is still awaiting clearance from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to compete in the NCAA swimming championships. 

The up-and-coming young swimmer — who was the most bemedalled athlete at the SEA Games in 2015 with 12 medals — impressed with a strong showing at the Rio Olympics in August after qualifying for the semi-finals of the men’s 100m and 200m butterfly. 

As a result, he was granted an extension of his National Service deferment by the Ministry of Defence till after the 2020 Olympics.

The swimmer said at the time, “I’m deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be able to train full-time and dedicate myself to doing my best and making our nation proud. 

With the extended deferment, it gives me the peace of mind to continue to train hard and work towards my goal of Tokyo 2020.”

While there was talk that Quah could join former national head coach Sergio Lopez at Auburn University, the swimmer had kept mum on his study and training plans. 

The move to the US is set to be a huge boost to Quah, who will be in good company at the University of California — its swim team comprises the likes of three-time Olympic gold medallist

Ryan Murphy, while Olympic champions Anthony Ervin, Nathan Adrian and Natalie Coughlin are among the Cal Bears’ illustrious alumni.  

The team is currently helmed by four-time NCAA Coach of the Year David Durden, who led the Cal Bears to three swimming titles in 2011, 2012 and 2014. 

In 2016, he was named assistant coach for the US Olympic swim team. 

Quah’s enrolment in Berkeley could see a fiery battle on the cards at this year’s NCAA swimming championships, with the swimmer likely to go head to head with national team-mate and

Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling, who is an undergraduate at the University of Texas (UT).

Both rival universities have been locked in a battle for supremacy at the NCAA championships, with UT edging out Berkeley for the title in 2015 and 2016. 

Gary Tan, head coach of the National Training Centre, applauded the move by his former charge. He said on Tuesday: “I’m very proud of Zheng Wen’s achievements and decision to pursue his dream in the US. 

“It is a wonderful opportunity for any student athlete to not only be able to study in one of the best universities, but to be able to train with a world-class team. 

“I’m confident that if he continues to train hard, whether at home or abroad, he’ll be in a great position to achieve his dreams. I wish him the very best and he will always have a home at the National Training Centre.”