Zheng Wen's satisfied
Quah cites two personal bests in Rio as progress
He had a tough programme here in Rio, he knew he would be busy lined up for the 100m backstroke, the 200m butterfly and the 100m butterfly at these Olympic Games.
After qualifying for all three events, Quah Zheng Wen was up for the challenge and set goals for himself.
He ended his second Olympic adventure here yesterday morning (Singapore time) in the semi-finals of the men's 100m butterfly, clocking 52.26 seconds to finish 15th in the field of 16 swimmers.
Speaking after the swim, Quah gave his assessment of his performance in the pool and said: "I think I did pretty well overall, with new personal bests.
"I wish I could have done better. I know I could have done better."
The 19-year-old was cheering on compatriot Joseph Schooling in the 100m butterfly finbal this morning, and he will want to taste and generate the same sort of excitement at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
TARGET
It is Quah's target, and this experience will surely help him.
He fluffed his lines in the 100m backstroke, but came back strongly in the two butterfly sprint events.
He had hoped to qualify for a final, but did set new personal bests in both heats - 1min 56.01sec in the 200m fly and 52.08 in the shorter sprint.
He was slower in the two semi-finals and I asked him if it was down to experience.
"I don't know if you can say experience. It's a combination of factors, but I guess you can call it experience, as well," he said.
Outgoing national coach Sergio Lopez described Quah as a talented swimmer who will only get better.
After his poor performance in the 100m backstroke, the Spaniard, an Olympic medallist, predicted the youngster would do well in the 200m butterfly.
Quah's time in the heats would have seen him make the final, but he ended 10th fastest overall.
Young and armed with obvious potential, Quah has so much more swimming left in him.
He's about to begin National Service and, hopefully, the Singapore Swimming Association can work with the relevant parties and put together a training programme that will ensure Quah is in prime form for the 2020 Games.
National assistant coach Gary Tan praised the performances of Quah and Schooling at this Olympics.
AMAZING
"We've seen record-breaking performances by both Joseph and Zheng Wen these Olympics, and to see where they have come from their performances at the London 2012 Olympics to where they are today is simply amazing.
"In London 2012, they were young teenagers participating in their first Olympics and learning from the process of racing.
"And we see that they have learned from those experiences to get to where they are today.
"Don't forget, they are both young men, and have many years ahead of them.
"I believe whatever the result, this entire journey has been inspirational to all of the aquatic fraternity and encourages coaches and athletes alike, that Singapore can be among the world's greats in swimming."
QUAH’S NEW PERSONAL BESTS
1:56.01
Set during the 200m butterfly heats. He clocked 1:56.11 during the semi-finals.
52.08
Set during the 100m butterfly heats. He clocked 52.26 during the semi-finals.
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