On 16 Sep 2021, Mindef announced that the NS deferment for both national swimmers, Quah Zheng Wen and Joseph Schooling, has ended on 31 Aug 2021.
Pre-enlistment procedures are now underway and, once completed, they will be enlisted.
Though mandatory, a two-year regulatory period without routine training sessions could dampen one’s physical abilities in the long run.
It could also affect their participation in sporting events in the meantime; a key reason why Son Heung-min of South Korea was so elated to achieve military exemption.
As such, one can’t help but be proud, and yet saddened at the same time, that both Olympic contenders are now undergoing Singapore’s conventional rite of passage.
Quah Zheng Wen Speaks Up About NS Deferment; Still Aiming For Olympics 2024
But it seems that despite the revelation, Quah Zheng Wen remains positive about the future.
The National swimmer confirmed the news on his Instagram page, and conceded that he will indeed be enlisting soon.
View this post on Instagram
However, he did not, at any point in time, bemoan his circumstances.
In the post, Quah detailed that enlistment has always been a part of his plans.
He then thanked MINDEF and MCCY for his earlier deferments, which allowed him to train and prepare for the Olympics in 2016 and 2020, as well as other major competitions in the region.
Though National Service may somewhat compromise his plans for the subsequent few swimming competitions, he has taken it into his stride, and stated that his plans remain the same, National Service or not.
As of now, his immediate goal is the Commonwealth 2022, followed by the next Asian games and eventually, the Olympics in Paris 2024.
Regarding his training routines, he will be working with the relevant authorities and his coaches to determine the best way to train at “elite-levels” while fulfilling his national duties.
“I am always thankful for the opportunity to represent Singapore – whether it is through enlisting or swimming,” he wrote.
He then thanked his supporters, and pledged to fly the national flag high even in National Service.
“Much love, the grind continues,” he concluded.
“The best is yet to be, Go Bears.”
To date, the post has garnered over 3.6K likes.
Netizens have also thanked Quah for his contributions, and wished him all the best in his next endeavour.
Deferment
Previously, Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen made waves (literally) when the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) extended their deferment due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics last year.
The deferment period, however, concluded on 31 August 2021.
According to Channel News Asia, Schooling has been on deferment since 2014, and Quah since 2015.
As for their future goals, all hope is not lost.
For national athletes serving NS, they are granted time-offs or disruptions to train and compete in international competitions as long as it doesn’t interfere with essential military operations.
In fact, according to CNA, there are several Olympic athletes who trained for the Tokyo Olympics while serving their full-time NS obligations without deferment or disruptions.
This includes badminton players Loh Kean Yew and Clarence Chew, diver Jonathan Chan and sailor Ryan Lo.
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Featured Image: Instagram (quahzhengwen)
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