Swimming: After humbling Phelps, Schooling seeks another shock at Tokyo Olympics

Singapore's Joseph Schooling famously upset the great Michael Phelps to win Olympic gold but he said "my biggest rival is myself" as he bids to return to form at the Tokyo Games.

Schooling, the Southeast Asian city-state's first Olympic champion, said the year's pandemic delay had given him extra time to prepare after a disappointing world championships in 2019.

The 25-year-old caused a sensation at Rio 2016, when he beat his idol Phelps -- who has a record 23 Olympic gold medals -- by a fingertip to win the 100m butterfly.

Five years on, Schooling again looks an outsider and although he still wants to win "more than ever", he admitted much of his fate was beyond his control.

"It is always a never-ending pursuit of trying to get better. Win or lose, you're going to give it your best," he told AFP via email.

"In the past, I was always focused on winning, and I still am, I still want to win more than ever. But at the same time, it is also important to find a balance -- the push and pull, letting go of what you can and can't control."

- 'Had to make some changes' -

Schooling hasn't been at his best since Rio, and he crashed out in the heats of the 100m butterfly at the 2019 world championships in South Korea.

Later that year, he won only one individual title at the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, and was criticised by fans for being out of shape.

"I simply wasn't as prepared as I should have been for those two meets," Schooling said. "Having said that, I recognised that I had to make some changes which I did."

Schooling has been allowed to defer his compulsory national service -- set at two years for all Singaporean men -- since 2014, with an extension granted last year when the Tokyo Games were postponed.

"Despite the Tokyo Olympics being postponed, I think you can find positives out of every negative," he said. 

"It gives me an extra year to get physically and mentally stronger, working on the things that can get me to where I want to be... I look at the extra year as a positive boost for myself."

Swimming against Phelps was a clear motivator for Schooling, who was photographed with the now-retired American legend as a boy.

Now, he said: "My biggest rival is myself. I want to perform at the best of my ability.

"You can't control what other people do, you can only control yourself and what you’re able to do," Schooling added.

"Right now my aspirations would just be to put myself in the best position possible to do the things I want, and win or lose, I'll be happy if I give it my all."

Agence France-Presse

Singapore Olympic champion Schooling gets national service delay

Singapore's Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling was handed a fresh national service deferment on Tuesday, allowing him to compete in next year's postponed Tokyo Games.

The city-state requires all male citizens and permanent residents aged 18 to serve two years in the military, the police or emergency services.

But Schooling was allowed to defer national service in 2014 to train for Rio 2016, where he famously beat his idol Michael Phelps to win the 100 metres butterfly -- Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medal.

The 25-year-old was given another reprieve to train for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the Games were moved to next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The defence ministry said it "will grant extensions of deferment" for Schooling and another Tokyo-bound Singaporean swimmer, Quah Zheng Wen, "to train for and compete in the Olympic Games".

Both, however, will be scheduled for enlistment should the postponed Games be cancelled, the ministry said.

"Deferment may be granted to exceptional sportsmen who are assessed to be potential medal winners for Singapore at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games," a ministry statement said.

"Applicants will have to show why deferment is necessary for them to compete successfully at these competitions and bring national pride to Singapore."

It said Schooling and Quah have met the criteria and have committed to be focused in their preparations.

In 2018, the defence ministry refused an application by Singaporean footballer Ben Davis to defer national service so he could play in the English Premier League, saying he did not meet the criteria.

Davis signed a deal with Premier League side Fulham anyway, and could now face jail for missing his national service if he returns to Singapore. 

Schooling faces a tough fight to repeat his 2016 success -- he was criticised for being out of shape at last year's Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, where he won only one individual gold medal.

Agence France-Presse

Swimming: Olympic titlist Joseph Schooling back with ex coach for Tokyo

Singapore's Olympic butterfly champion Joseph Schooling is reuniting with former coach and mentor Sergio Lopez in the United States as he seeks to regain his lost form in time for Tokyo.

The 24-year-old failed to qualify for the 100m semifinals at the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea, last July finishing equal 24th and with a best time 2.54 seconds slower than his 2016 Olympic record.

He told Singapore's Straits Times newspaper in an interview on Thursday that he spent time with the Spaniard after the Southeast Asian Games last December and had "started thinking a little differently."

"I just like what Sergio does on a personal level, but also in the pool, and he inspires me to be the best version that I can be, on a day-to-day basis," he said.

"We're focusing more on mid-distance stuff. The yardage might be a little more than the past eight to nine months. And that's where I need to be right now.

"I need to be fit enough to swim the 200m fly if I want to do the 100m fly the way I want to," added the Singaporean, who spent five years at university in Austin, Texas, before returning home last year.

Schooling, who beat American great Michael Phelps in the 100 meters butterfly final in Rio to become Singapore's first Olympic gold medalist, said he will link up with Lopez at Virginia Tech from Sunday.

He will train with a group of 15 Olympic hopeful swimmers from Hungary, Poland and Hong Kong and work with Lopez until the Games, which start in July.

American Caeleb Dressel looks to be the hot favourite for the 100m butterfly in Tokyo, having set a world record time of 49.50 seconds last year in Gwangju.

"It's going to take at least 49-mid to 49-low to win (in Tokyo)," said Schooling. "It is going to take a lot quicker than what I swam in Rio to win." (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Toby Davis)

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SEA Games: Singapore, Vietnam own swimming Day 3; PH gets 3 more medals

NEW CLARK CITY—The Philippines national swimming team added three medals to its haul in the Southeast Asian Games in Capas town, Tarlac on Friday.

The hosts surprised the Aquatics Center with a silver-medal performance in the men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay after clocking 3 minutes and 22.32 seconds behind the Joseph Schooling-led Singapore side, which set a new SEA Games record at 3:16.82. 

Luke Gebbie, Sacho Ilustre, Jean-Pierre Khouzam and Jarod Hatch fought toe-to-toe with the bronze medalists from Vietnam (3:22.45). 

"There's a lot of talk about how the relay would be. This is for the country," Hatch said after winning his first medal. 

Meanwhile, Remedy Rule increased her personal medal tally to 3 after clinching a bronze in the women's 200 freestyle (2:01.64) behind Thi Anh Vien Nguyen of Vietnam (2:00.75) and Natthanan Junkrajang (2:00.93). 

"I gave it my all and ended up with a medal for the Philippines. It's been amazing. I've been laughing with teammates. I can only control how fast can I go," Rule said. "But of course, I want the gold but I don't want to be disappointed for giving my best."

Chloe Kennedy Anne Isleta secured her first SEA Games medal with a bronze in the women's 200 backstroke (2:18.48). Capturing the gold was Nguyen anew (2:15.32) and Nurul Fitriyati of Indonesia (2:17.84).

"I think it really helped that Roxanne (Yu) is near me. We calm each other down before the race. A lot of people helped me to be here," Isleta said. 

The Philippines could have added more medals but two other local swimmers finished fourth in their respective events. 

Jarod Hatch timed 53.99 in the men's 100 butterfly. Defending Olympic champion Schooling narrowly won the gold after a challenge from countryman Zeng Wen Quah. 

Rodgers Joy missed the podium, too, as she fell short in the women's 50 breaststroke. 

The Philippines has amassed a gold to go along with 2 silver and 3 bronze medals after 3 days of competition. 

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SEA Games: Pinoy crowd enthralls Olympic champion Joseph Schooling

NEW CLARK CITY -- Filipinos sure know how to make visitors feel at home as Singaporean swimmer Joseph Schooling found out when he was welcomed by the local crowd at the Aquatics Center here with loud cheers and applause as he entered the pool area for the men's 4x200 meter freestyle relay on Wednesday. 

Schooling, a 23-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and the 2016 Rio Olympic champion, had nothing but praise for the Filipinos for their energy and support even to foreign athletes. 

"[It was] awesome. It's amazing, so much energy for relay. I'm excited to see how everyone gets up for tomorrow and the rest of the tournament," Schooling told media after winning his 24th gold in the SEA Games and first in the Philippines. 

"We are very happy to come in the Philippines to swim. It's a beautiful pool. The crowd is amazing. Very fun to be able to race here for the first time."

Schooling, who rose to fame after gifting Singapore its first-ever Olympic gold and beating his idol Michael Phelps, has five more events in the competition before he prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

"The goal is always to qualify for the Olympics," said Schooling, whose nanny is a Filipina. 

Asked about his Cagayan-native househelper, the swimmer said she wanted to come as well but stayed home to take care of Schooling's father.

"I wish she was here to watch me swim today but she has to stay home and be with my dad. I know she's watching on TV," he revealed. 

After SEA Games, Schooling will head back home but hinted at visiting the Philippines after the Olympics. 

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Swimming: Olympic champ Joseph Schooling moving in ‘right direction’ for 2020

JAKARTA—Joseph Schooling did not claim to have swam a perfect race in winning Singapore's first gold medal of the 18th Asian Games but he feels the victory is another stepping stone towards the defense of his 100m butterfly title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Texas-based swimmer earned Singapore's first Olympic gold medal when he won the event at the 2016 Rio Games but has since struggled with inconsistency, managing only a bronze at the world championships in Hungary last year.

Schooling said winning gold in Jakarta on Wednesday, in a Games record of 51.04, brought him "relief and joy" and hopefully signaled an end to his dip in form.

"I've been up and down over the last two years but it's part of the cycle, right? You can't always be in tip-top performance," he said at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Center late on Wednesday.

"What's important is if you're not feeling at your best, step up, grind it through and try to win the race. That's what defines a champion."

The 23-year-old, who will be going for a second gold after topping Thursday's 50m butterfly heats (23.84), plans to swim in Europe before returning home for a World Cup leg in November ahead of next year's world championships in South Korea.

"I'm heading in the right direction ... I'm starting to feel more and more comfortable, so I envision the next two years getting better and better heading into Korea and Tokyo," he added.

He was happy with his time in Jakarta, which was the fifth fastest of the year and bettered his gold-winning 51.76 at the 2014 Asian Games, but felt it was "just another stepping stone" towards his ultimate goal.

"You build on it each meet, each year and you finally get to the Olympics," he said. "This is one of the building years to get to do what I want to do in Tokyo.

"Are things going according to plan? Yes, I'd say so. I'm happy with where I'm at. I'm definitely in a lot better shape than I was last year. Hopefully I can keep building on that."

And if he needs motivation, Schooling says criticism helps.

"I think criticism is good," he said.

"If everyone's on your side, praising you, it might get to your head. But I think this is a great check and balance for me.

"(I've) always proven my critics wrong. It gives me more motivation to go to practice, to race harder, so I can prove people wrong." (Editing by Peter Rutherford )

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Singapore pin hopes on Schooling as David seeks fifth gold

SINGAPORE - Singapore will be looking to make a splash in the pool at the Asian Games in neighbouring Indonesia this month as Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling leads a strong swim team aiming to surpass the six medals they claimed at Incheon four years ago.

Texas-based Schooling made history for the tiny island nation when he claimed its first Olympic success in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Games and he will hope to improve on the three medals, one of each colour, he took home from Korea.

"My goal for Asian Games is to do my best for the country, bring glory to Singapore and helping out the younger kids, we have a young team and I'm super excited particularly for the relays," the 23-year-old told local media.

Schooling is pencilled in for five events in Jakarta as he builds momentum towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and while he is aiming high in Indonesia, Singapore is refusing to set medal goals for the record-sized squad it is sending to the Games.

A total of 265 athletes in 21 sports will be making the short trip across the Java Sea with Singapore officials looking for success in three specific disciplines.

"With the largest Team Singapore contingent heading to the Asian Games, we are certainly expecting the best of them," Asian Games chef de mission Lee Wung Yew said at a recent flag presentation ceremony.

"If you are looking at medal expectations, we are looking at three main sports -- sailing, bowling and swimming -- but we are also looking at possibly nice surprises in other sports as well."

Across the causeway in Malaysia, squash all-time great Nicol David will be hoping to emerge from what is likely to be her final Asian Games appearance with a fifth individual gold medal, 20 years after winning her first as a 14-year-old.

"The Asian Games is held once every four years... I'll not take things for granted," said David, who also has two team golds and has returned to Kuala Lumpur from her home in Amsterdam to focus her training on the Asian Games.

David will be the top seed in the individual event but she is expecting a tough challenge from opponents representing Hong Kong and India.

Malaysia, who like Singapore will send a record contingent to Indonesia, will also be hoping for success in tenpin bowling, diving, karate, badminton, track cycling and sepaktakraw after the nation claimed 33 medals, five golds, in Incheon.

However, the 440-strong squad will be missing long-time world number one badminton player Lee Chong Wei, whose hopes of finally winning a maiden Asian Games title at the age of 35 have been scuppered by a respiratory-related illness. (Reporting by John O'Brien; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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Olympic champion Schooling apologizes to Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR -- Singapore's Olympic champion Joseph Schooling has apologized to Malaysians for saying he was going to teach their swimmers a lesson at the Southeast Asian Games, which open on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

The 22-year-old, who won the city-state's first Olympic gold in the 100 metres butterfly in Rio last year, had told local media it would be "nice to go to Malaysia's backyard and teach them a thing or two".

"If I offended anyone, I do apologise... that wasn't my intention," Schooling said on his arrival in the Malaysian capital on Saturday.

"I'm really sorry for my comments and I definitely didn't mean it that way."

Schooling won nine gold medals at the last SEA Games in Singapore two years ago but will race in fewer events this year.

"I'll do my best in all of them. I'm just going to do my best and let the outcome speak for itself. We have two days to prepare so hopefully we'll put on a good performance in the Games," he added.

"It's definitely not like training for me. Every race my dad likes to say race fast and that actually holds a lot of ground. There are a lot of great swimmers in the South East Asian region so I gotta be the best as I can to make my country proud."

The 29th version of the biennial SEA Games continue until Aug. 30.

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Schooling beats Phelps, wins first gold for Singapore

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Joseph Schooling won the men's 100 meters butterfly final on Friday to secure Singapore's first Olympic gold medal and deny Michael Phelps a 23rd in the last individual race of the American's extraordinary career.

Phelps, the defending champion and world record holder who is heading into retirement -- again -- after Rio, finished second in a three-way dead heat with two of his greatest rivals -- South Africa's Chad Le Clos and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh.

Astonishingly, all three touched out in 51.14 seconds, behind Schooling's Olympic record 50.39.

Phelps, who now has 27 medals, had been hoping to win the event for the fourth successive Games.

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