For all the hours spent analysing sporting performances in search of valuable lessons that can be applied to future competition, sometimes there really is no explanation for a given outcome.

That was the case on Sunday when Team Singapore swimmer Quah Zheng Wen missed out on qualifying for the Olympics men’s 100m backstroke semi-final on after finishing 22nd out of 39 in the heats.

TeamSG swimmer Quah Zheng Wen warming up before his 100m Backstroke event. Photo: Sport Singapore

The 19-year-old put a time of 54.38 seconds, more than three-tenths slower than his personal best of 54.03s. 

That result leaves Zheng Wen to focus on his two other events at the Games, the 100m and 200m butterfly - but it will still hurt.

“It is a puzzle for me,” said Team Singapore’s national swimming coach Sergio Lopez.

“I don’t know what happened. He said he didn’t feel he had the speed, he was a little slow coming out and his legs were a little tired.”

TeamSG swimmer Quah Zheng Wen starting the 100m Backstroke. Photo: Sport Singapore

“It is kind of a disappointment,” he said, “We are going to sit down and talk and take it one at a time”.

Lopez does not expect the disappointment to impact on his two other races.

“His 200m Fly is what we have trained for and we need a bit more for 100m Fly. But the best chance he has to do something is in the 200m Fly.