Quah Zheng Wen was within the center car of an eight-car pileup on his method to this shoot, a front-to-bumper collision. He’s unscathed. But when he’s rattled, you’d by no means know. He arrives, apologetic, folding his near-1.8m body into the stylist’s chair. It’s straightforward to image him in a move state underneath extra intense pressures, like say, on the Olympic Video games.
Now, as he turns 27, Quah is treading one other, existential “center”: a sea of selections about life after the intense routine of a aggressive swimmer. In any case, in his world, champions are labelled previous prime as they hit it, and retirement is, like Thanos, inevitable.
By 16, he’d debuted on the 2012 London Olympics. After finishing his IB Diploma at Anglo-Chinese language Faculty (Impartial), he was military certain, then on to the Yong Bathroom Lin Faculty of Medication, Nationwide College of Singapore.
However the 2015 Sea Video games in Singapore modified that trajectory. He was granted his first Nationwide Service deferment to compete. Qualifying for the 2016 Video games in Rio de Janeiro obtained him a second, and he turned Singapore’s first male swimmer to qualify for an Olympic semi-final, putting fifteenth and tenth within the 100m and 200m butterfly races.
By 2017, he’d earned his longest deferment to coach in the US, enabling him to compete in its collegiate system: “I’m glad I did properly sufficient to persuade them to place their religion in me, and see what I might do in 4 years if I held off NS.” He turned Singapore’s most-medalled male swimmer. He additionally left the College of California, Berkeley, with a level in Molecular Cell Biology (Neurobiology Subcategory).
Passport to Paris
Three years in the past, Quah anticipated excelling at his ultimate NCAA season — together with the 100/200 yard butterfly and 200 yard particular person medley — till the pandemic turned it into the season that obtained away. “That’s at all times bugged me… as a result of I’ve obtained to win,” mentioned the serial over-achiever, who’d been aiming to win a group and particular person title. “I spent that previous yr being actually disciplined; my protein shake turned what I discovered candy, as a result of I simply wasn’t consuming something unhealthy. I’d been going to mattress at 8.45pm. It was very tough, mentally.” When the 2020 Tokyo Olympics obtained pushed to 2021, he became a mortal—“I spent extra time with my mates. I knew my time there was ending, and I used to be very unhappy.” It’s 2023, and Quah is finishing his NS — a combat-ready medic. The aim is Paris, 2024. Like a gambler making an attempt to not jinx a streak, Quah doesn’t depend medals. However since his regional debut in 2011, he’s received 32 golds at seven SEA Video games, together with 5 golds, a silver and a bronze at the latest in Cambodia. Past the stats, Quah’s extra fascinating options are his depth, maturity, and views on discovering “the best individual.”
Let’s discuss inconsequential stuff, like, male identification—as you’re placing in your make-up.
Haha! Oh, wow. I can barely hear you above the hairdryer…
You’re nonetheless in NS; how come you’ve a lot hair?
Haha, I’m going to ORD in September!
Talking of the navy, how does NS influence Singapore’s sporting tradition?
The navy is so needed, however I really feel prefer it additionally stunts the expansion of our sporting youth. Being caught up within the rat race can be a giant issue why individuals don’t defer. I feel that as time goes on, and extra individuals get used to those issues, it can bode properly for future generations of sportsmen.
What separates the champion’s mindset from everybody else’s?
Sacrifice. Be it social or leisure — all that goes out the window if you wish to decide to being nice. You need to discover that grit that’ll push you additional than anybody else, and maintain onto it.
While you’re a nationwide champion, you’re a commodity. How vital is it for individuals to understand an athlete’s psychological state?
I feel it’s large. As a public determine, all individuals see is what’s within the information. My girlfriend instructed me that earlier than she met me in actual life she thought I used to be boring — ‘each interview you’ve ever executed is about swimming, you’re so politically right’ — haha. It’s crucial for individuals to grasp there’s a village supporting the athlete, so he could be the perfect he could be, each single day.
How robust is it so that you can deal with relationships and coaching?
It is extremely tough with the rigours I preserve. I’m busy your complete week, and by the weekend, I’m tremendous drained. It’s essential to discover that one who is aware of the calls for of the game. The suitable individual doesn’t make your life tougher, however simpler, and a lot extra enjoyable!
Nonetheless wish to be a physician?
I used to be planning to return again to med faculty. However each one who has executed that and sports activities says it’s unimaginable to do each — and I’d wish to give my 100 per cent. I wished to be a physician as a result of my dad’s a physician, and to offer for my household like how my dad offered for us. But when I went down that route and didn’t get pleasure from it, I wouldn’t be pleased with who I used to be.
When is your ‘lastly executed’?
I undoubtedly see the top approaching. My complete life, I’ve at all times thought I used to be gonna do med. I by no means bothered exploring issues I doubtlessly might like. So I’m excited but additionally slightly daunted.
It hardly appears honest that 26 means ‘too previous.’
I undoubtedly don’t assume I’m too previous per se… I simply don’t wish to be caught on the market, dry at 34, nonetheless having no concept what to do. I care about caring for my mother and father, getting married, organising a household.
Do you assume your post-swimming profession may also be aggressive?
Sure… I wish to discover one thing I can excel at — I don’t wish to say ‘really feel wanted’ as a result of that sounds a bit bizarre — I wish to be reliable. It’d give me objective. I’ve skilled what it’s like underneath the very best pressures, and anything would really feel mundane.
Photographed by Wee Khim
Artistic course by Windy Aulia
Styled by Gracia Phang
Hair and make-up: Karol Soh utilizing Tom Ford Magnificence and Keune Haircosmetics
Producer: Cindy Ow
Photographer’s assistant: Ivan Teo
Stylist’s assistant: Zoe Tauro
Supply: Her World
