Team PURPOSE athlete: Ng Wei Quan

From learning how to swim from YouTube two years ago to representing Singapore in the ITU Long Distance World Cup this weekend, Ng Wei Quan is only just beginning.

The 23-year-old Singapore Management University economics undergrad was inspired by his wing commander in Officer Cadet School, LTC Matthew Wong who was a multiple Ironman finisher.

“He always mentioned to us how mentally tough it is and then one of my senior officers Ernest Wong did his first Ironman when he was an undergrad, so I thought why not do it when I enter the army?” Ng said.

Despite only having five months of “swim training” from YouTube, Ng took part in the Singapore International Triathlon 2017. “I think I came out quite badly in the swim but I was pleasantly surprised to be able to place in the Top 10, so I thought wow if this is how it feels to be in the top 10, why not target top 5?”

From there, Ng has gone on to compete more, such as the TriFactor Triathlon 2018 and the SEA Games duathlon selection race in Malaysia this year.

This Saturday, he will be donning the Singapore colours at the ITU Long Distance World Cup Triathlon in Wenzhou, China.

His last race for the 2019 season will then be the Ironman 70.3 Malaysia in Langkawi where he aims to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship 2020.

On top of his studies and training, Ng also works as a student financial advisor and is in charge of Project Empowerment, which “provides opportunities to working adults to integrate work and life together, rather than sacrificing one for another”.

As a PURPOSE athlete, Ng is proud to support a local brand. “When I heard about PURPOSE, I knew I had to support a Singapore brand. I’m glad to see PURPOSE expanding fast!

I love the mesh material of the trisuit as it is lightweight and I don’t feel as much heat at an extremely hot race in Clark, Philippines, for example.

“I also like how PURPOSE is always innovating and improving on their products, to make a better trisuit year on year while listening to our feedback. With consistent progress, I’m sure we will make it to the world stage.”