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: US Olympic champion Dwyer retires after doping ban

American double Olympic champion Conor Dwyer on Friday said he was retiring from swimming on the day he was handed a 20-month doping ban that ruled him out of next year's Tokyo Olympics.

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) earlier announced that an independent three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) determined the suspension after Dwyer was found to have had testosterone pellets inserted in his body.

Dwyer, 30, tested positive for an anabolic agent in three out-of-competition urine samples last November and December, USADA said in a news release.

"Following a full evidentiary hearing, the panel found that Dwyer had testosterone pellets inserted in his body in violation of the rules," USADA said.

Dwyer said he was following a doctor-prescribed medical treatment that he did not realize contained the banned substance testosterone and noted that the panel said in its report that he was not significantly at fault for the violation.

"My doctor assured me that the United States Olympic Committee had approved the treatment before I agreed to it," he said in a statement.

"Absent of these assurances, I never would have agreed to this medically necessary treatment.

"Regardless of the result of the arbitration ruling, I have decided to retire from swimming to pursue other professional interests.

"It was an honor to represent my country alongside my team mates and with the support of my coaches, family, and friends."

Dwyer was part of the US 4x200m freestyle teams that won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. He also claimed bronze in the individual 200 freestyle at Rio in 2016.

USADA CEO Travis Tygart said: "As noted in the panel’s decision, USADA is independent of sport and here to help athletes ensure they compete clean and protect their health and well-being within the rules.

"It’s frustrating that Mr Dwyer did not take advantage of this support and hopefully this case will convince others to do so in order to protect fair and healthy competition for all athletes."

Dwyer’s 20-month ban began on Dec. 21 last year, the date of his provisional suspension.

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Swimming: China's Sun says public opinion 'distorting' facts of drug test

China's Olympic and world champion swimmer Sun Yang has said public opinion has been "distorting" the facts surrounding his controversial drug test in Shanghai last year and made his training and life intolerable.

The 27-year-old faces a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing over anti-doping violations involving a test at his residence compound last September.

Documents leaked to the media revealed Sun questioned the credentials of the testers before members of his entourage smashed the vials containing his blood samples with a hammer.

Sun, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, said on social media that his actions during the botched test were all carried out under the guidance of his team, medical personnel and leaders of the provincial anti-doping centre.

"However, public opinion has been distorting the facts to varying degrees," Sun said on the Twitter-like Weibo platform.

"My training and life have been greatly troubled, far beyond the threshold of tolerance."

Sun, who won the 200 and 400 metres freestyle titles at Gwangju, bringing his world championships haul to 11, said he had been tested hundreds of times according to "strict" anti-doping rules and always cooperated with officials.

He added that he was unable to go public with the truth but said: "Fortunately, the surveillance cameras have recorded everything, otherwise I won't be able to defend myself against irresponsible accusations."

Sun was cleared of wrongdoing by a doping panel convened by swimming's global governing body FINA but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to CAS.

CAS said last week it would hold the case in public in a break from usual procedure.

Sun served a three-month doping suspension in 2014 for taking the stimulant trimetazidine, which he said he took to treat a heart condition.

A second doping violation would inevitably bring a harsher sanction and could rule him out of next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

He competed at the world championships in South Korea under the shadow of the WADA appeal and three rivals snubbed him after races, by either refusing to shake his hand or join him on the podium.

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Hong Kong domestic helpers jump in deep end

Every Sunday in Hong Kong, the city's army of domestic helpers packs into parks or onto pavements, bridges and walkways on their one mandatory day off.

With a marginalized position in society and low income, the force of more than 300,000 maids, mainly women from Indonesia and the Philippines, can find it hard to access public facilities like libraries and leisure centers.

Some NGOs say as well as difficulties meeting the cost, helpers also face discrimination -- especially if they are in groups -- and can have difficulties providing information for membership such as proof of address if their employers do not supply it.

But Marilyn Maliglig has found an alternative way to spend her day off -- confronting her water phobia at a free swimming class for domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

"I cannot float, that's the problem," the 41-year-old told AFP before her first class.

"I really can't swim in the water at all."

Although the city depends on domestic helpers to keep it running, some maids are barred from using swimming pools for their own leisure at the residential complexes where they work.

They are only entitled to one day off a week which they spend setting up temporary camps around the city with music, food, prayers and dancing.

British swimming enthusiast Simon Holliday said he was inspired to set up swimming classes for domestic helpers after he spotted a group one Sunday, looking bored and sitting on cardboard boxes on the pavement.

"Many people feel strongly about helpers and their contributions to Hong Kong society. They want to give them an opportunity to do something for themselves," Holliday told AFP.

His charity Splash offers free swimming lessons for marginalized communities in Hong Kong, including refugees. 

Helpers say they cannot afford paid-for lessons and the class gives them a chance to learn a new skill and to relax after a trying six-day week.

"We want other things to do. Because we always do the same things at home," said Jasmine Arcana, from the Philippines, who has been working in Hong Kong as a helper for eight years.

Nearly 1,200 domestic helpers have taken part in the program since it began three years ago. 

Some have gone on to be open-water swimmers, taking advantage of Hong Kong's many beaches. 

Russelle Vertudazo was afraid of the water until she started at Splash two years ago -- now she dons a wetsuit and goggles every Sunday morning to swim with a dozen other helpers along the southern bays of Hong Kong Island. 

Vertudazo, 31, said the main reason she started to swim was to make new friends -- like many helpers.

"Most of us in Hong Kong don't have many places to go," she told AFP.

"I like how I can swim as far as I can. I feel free."

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Swimming: Former world champion Magnini handed 4-year ban

ROME - Retired two times swimming world champion Filippo Magnini was handed a four-year ban by Italy's anti-doping agency on Tuesday along with ex-relay team mate Michele Santucci.

The agency, NADO Italia, announced the penalty in a statement.

Magnini, 36, won 100 meter freestyle golds at the 2005 and 2007 world championships as well as a 4x200 freestyle relay bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He retired last year.

The anti-doping prosecutor had sought an eight-year term for actual or attempted doping in a case linked to nutritionist Guido Porcellini, who was given a 30-year ban in July for anti-doping violations.

Magnini, who has not tested positive and had been a critic of doping, denied the charges and said he would appeal.

"I haven't done anything, this sentence is ridiculous," the Gazzetta dello Sport quoted him as saying. "It's a trial of intentions and I could never have imagined something like this."

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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 )

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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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PH swimmers plunge into SEA Games action

KUALA LUMPUR – Coming in with modest expectations, Filipino swimmers plunge into action in the swimming competition of the 29th Southeast Asian Games beginning Monday at the National Aquatic Centre inside the massive KL Sports City complex in Bukit Jalil.

Fresh from training in Italy, two-time Olympian Jessie Lacuna breaks the ice for the Pinoy tankers at 9:30 a.m. in the heats of the men’s 400-meter freestyle event, where he took a silver in the 30th Singapore SEA Games in 2015.

Interesting will be the duel at 9:40 a.m. in the 100-meter backstroke heats between 2014 Nanjing Games Youth Olympic Games veteran Roxanne Yu and up-and-coming Filipino-Am Nicole Oliva, who swept all of her seven events in the national swimming championships last June.

With six gold medals up for grabs on the opening day of swimming, all of the finals will be held in the evening starting at 7 p.m.

Also hoping to break out of her own slump in her third consecutive SEA Games outing is comely Filipino-Saudi Jasmine Alkhaldi, who took six bronze medals – six individual and one relay – from Singapore two years ago.

Alkhaldi, who also trained in Italy, is best remembered for being “robbed” of the 100-meter freestyle gold in the 2013 Myanmar Games after topping the race – only to be informed that Thailand’s Natthanan Jungkarajang was guilty of a false start and that it had to be raced again.

Traumatized by the incident, the Pinay swimmer faded to bronze in the re-swim while the Thai bet won the gold.

Alkhaldi could face a stiff challenge from another freestyle specialist in Oliva.

The country’s best gold-medal prospect is Fil-Am newcomer James Deiparine, who holds the national record of 28.13 seconds and 1:02.00 in the men’s 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke, respectively.

“It is an honor for me to see action in the SEA Games,” said Deiparine, whose mom hails from Angeles City, Pampanga, of his maiden outing in the regional sports showcase after competing for the country also for the first time in the world championships in Budapest, Hungary last month.

The Washington native was guardedly optimistic about his chances in the 100-meter breaststroke, pointing out that the reigning Malaysian champion in the event, Wong Fu Kang, had a winning time of 1:02.46 in Singapore two years ago.

Filipino tankers finished sixth and last among the competing countries in the Singapore SEA Games swimfest with two silver and 11 bronze medals.

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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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Dressel matches Phelps and helps U.S. to best world medals haul

BUDAPEST - Caeleb Dressel of the United States heralded a new era in world swimming when he equaled the great Michael Phelps's feat of seven golds at a single world championships as the 17th edition closed on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Dressel underlined his credentials as the world's fastest starter in breathtaking fashion at the Duna Arena when he broke away on the butterfly leg to give the U.S. gold in the men's 4x100 meters medley relay.

Dressel had already won three individual golds and three relay titles in Budapest and Sunday's addition allowed him to match his compatriot Phelps's tally from the 2007 championships in Melbourne.

He also helped the U.S. to record their best-ever world championship haul, with 38 medals.

However the enormity of the Florida student's achievements had yet to fully sink in.

"I've never had it happen so I don't really know what to say," he told reporters. "I'm going to take a little break in Europe, go to Poland and Scotland and just enjoy myself.

"It was probably the most fun I've had in eight days. It was an absolute blast getting to do what I love."

Team mate Lilly King had kickstarted the evening in blistering style with a world-record time of 29.40 seconds in the women's 50m breaststroke.

King beat Russian Yuilya Efimova to the wall by 0.17 seconds, with another American, Katie Meili taking bronze.

The atmosphere rose when Hungary's Katinka Hosszu glided to gold in the women's 400m individual medley, adding to her 200m medley title.

The 12,000-strong crowd roared Hosszu on to a championship record time of four minutes 29.33. Mireia Belmonte of Spain won silver, with Canadian Sydney Pickrem claiming bronze.

Chase Kalisz's breaststroke leg in the men's 400m individual medley also saw him land an individual medley double.

The American set a championship record of four minutes 5.90 seconds to become the third-fastest performer behind Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

David Verraszto of Hungary won silver, with Japan's Daiya Seto securing bronze.

"Michael and Ryan are my idols so just to be behind them is cool for me to think about," Kalisz told reporters.

Swede Sarah Sjostrom won her third individual gold in the women's 50m freestyle to wrap up a memorable championships which also included two world records.

The 23-year-old paced herself perfectly to hold off Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands in 23.69 seconds. Simone Manuel of the U.S. won bronze.

Sjostrom said: "It was a really good first 25m but the finish was really bad. But it doesn't matter what time it is, the only thing that mattered was that gold."

Camille Lacourt of France delivered the perfect hors d'oeuvre for his new life as a Paris restaurant owner by blazing his way to a hat-trick of men's 50m backstroke world golds.

Lacourt, 32, bowed out of the sport in style as his 24.35 seconds saw off Japan's Junya Koga and Matt Grevers of the U.S. into the minor medals.

King and Manuel then helped the U.S. to set a world record on the way to women's 4x100m medley relay gold.

That paved the way for the U.S. relay men's golden finale, with Britain finishing in silver 1.04 seconds behind.

In their dominating performance at the championships, the U.S. claimed six of the 11 world records set in Budapest. Katie Ledecky, who did not swim on Sunday, finished as the leading female swimmer with her five gold medals and one silver. Manuel collected five golds and a bronze.

(Additional reporting by Marton Dunai; Editing by Clare Fallon)

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Treble-gold Dressel stars in 90-minute wonder show

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Caeleb Dressel captured three gold medals inside 90 sensational minutes on Saturday, taking his personal haul at the world swimming championships to six with a seventh on the cards on Sunday.

Dressel capped his stunning display by helping the United States to a world record in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay having kicked off his historic night by winning the men's 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly golds in the space of half an hour.

He completed the hat-trick by swimming the opening leg of the relay before Simone Manuel touched the wall at three minutes, 19.60 seconds to seal America's win.

It's thought to be the first time a USA swimmer has won three golds medals in one day at a world championships.

"I haven't had much time to think tonight," said the 20-year-old.

"It's back-to-back events, it's physically demanding and mentally it's even more straining."

The relay time shaved more than three seconds off the previous record the US team set two years ago in Kazan.

The Netherlands took silver at 2.21 secs back while Canada claimed bronze at 3.95.

The championships close on Sunday with the USA well ahead in the medal table with 14 golds, 10 silvers and seven bronzes in the swimming events.

Dressel has now won six golds in Budapest.

He has three individuals titles, including the 100m freestyle, plus victories for the USA in the men's 4x100m freestyle, mixed 4x100m medley and mixed 4x100m freestyle relays.

He could win a seventh gold in the men's 4x100m medley relay on Sunday.

"I have 24 hours to my next swim, so I'll give myself 30 minutes tonight to let it sink in a bit and then it's time to refocus for the next event tomorrow," said Dressel.

   
- Ledecky's 14th worlds gold -

His haul overshadows even compatriot and freestyle queen Katie Ledecky, who leaves Budapest with five golds and a silver.

The 20-year-old Ledecky won her 14th world gold, spanning three championships, with victory in the women's 800m freestyle on Saturday, but was happy for Dressel to take the limelight.

"He's incredible, he's just a great athlete," said Ledecky.

"The way he goes about his racing, it's really impressive. He's really fired up Team USA with his performances in the water this week."

Dressel's relay team-mates paid tribute to his jaw-dropping performances.

"It's unbelievable man," said Nathan Adrian, who swam America's second leg on Saturday.

"It's unheard of until now -- everything is impossible until someone does it."

Manuel, the world and joint Olympic 100m freestyle champion, said Dressel deserves his success.

"He's an amazing athlete and he knows how to race," said Manuel. "He is trained for it, it that's how we all have our successes.

"Sometimes it comes out as a surprise when you work hard and you get what you achieve, but you worked hard for it."

Mallory Comerford, who swam the third leg, said Dressel's performances in the individual finals had inspired the relay team.

"It's amazing to know that he's leading us all off," said Comerford.

"It's inspiring to watch him swim and do well, it brings conference to the relay."

In Dressel's shadow, Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom won the women's 50m butterfly to complete the sprint double after her 100m earlier in the week.

It made up for some of the disappointment of missing gold in the women's 100m freestyle final on Friday by 0.04.

Sjostrom also set a new world record in the semi-finals of the 50m freestyle with a time of 23.67sec bettering the old mark of 23.73sec set by Germany's Britta Steffen in 2009.

The 23-year-old now holds world records in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly.

There were tears of joy in the women's 200m backstroke final as Emily Seebohm of Australia broke down after retaining her title.

A powerful burst in the final 50m saw Seebohm beat local favourite Katinka Hosszu, who took silver.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Ledecky wins historic 12th worlds gold as records tumble

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Katie Ledecky made history on Tuesday by becoming the first woman to win 12 world swimming championship gold medals, as world records were sent tumbling four times in the Budapest pool.

Britain's Adam Peaty twice lowered his own men's 50m breaststroke record, once in the morning's heats then again in the evening's semi-finals.

Canadian Kylie Masse then broke the women's 100m backstroke record from 2009, when now-banned neoprene suits were used.

To complete the drama, Lilly King of the United States took out the women's 100m breaststroke world record to take the gold.

"It was not really on my radar to swim below 26 seconds but I felt good tonight," said Peaty who swam 26.10 secs in the morning, then 25.95 in the semi-final.

"Let's see what comes out in tomorrow's (Wednesday's) final."

Ledecky proved she is peerless in the women's 1500m freestyle as she won the final by a massive 19.07 seconds ahead of her nearest rival, Spain's Mireia Belmonte.

   
 'Another planet'

"Katie Ledecky is on another planet, so the goal of the race was to win the silver medal. For me, it is gold," quipped Belmonte.

Ledecky, 20, is now the most decorated woman in world swimming championships history as she passed compatriot Missy Franklin, who has 11 world titles.

But despite her achievement, Ledecky said winning is not as easy as she makes it look.

"It's hard the other 364 days of the year, it's about putting the work in during practice, so that then I can step up," she said.

King, also 20, claimed the United States' second gold of the night with a commanding display in the women's 100m breaststroke final.

She clocked one minute 04.13 seconds in the final, beating Ruta Meilutyte's 2013 record, to add world gold to the Olympic title she won last year in Rio de Janeiro.

Masse, 21, then proved the current depth in women's backstroke with a devastating display.

The 21-year-old clocked 58.10 seconds, breaking Gemma Spofforth's previous mark of 58.12sec from the 2009 championships.

"I was making sure I was reading the right name and the right time I was lost for words immediately after, I'm still in shock," said a stunned Masse.

Kathleen Baker of the United States took silver, at 0.48sec back, while Emily Seebohm of Australia brushed off a cold to claim bronze, just 0.49 behind.

 'Awesome record'

"It's awesome, I kinda thought she would do it," said Seebohm, the 2015 world champion, of Masse's record.

"I didn't come in saying 'I'm going to defend my title', but to rather enjoy racing these girls, they're fantastic, there's great depth in the backstroke."

Earlier, Chinese superstar Sun Yang won the men's 200m freestyle gold to add to his Olympic title in the same event.

Sun touched the wall first in one minute 44.39 seconds to set a new Asian record.

"It was a great race, especially the last 50 metres were pretty good. It is one of the hardest races for me," said Sun, who punched the water in triumph after his victory.

It was Sun's second gold of these championships after his victory in the 400m freestyle final on Sunday.

He will bid for the treble in Wednesday's 800m free –- the event he has dominated for the last three world championships since 2011 in Shanghai.

Xu Jiayu claimed a second gold for the night for China by winning the men's 100m backstroke final.

The 21-year-old Olympic silver medallist clocked 52.44 seconds with American duo Matt Grevers earning silver, at 0.04sec back, and Olympic champion Ryan Murphy taking bronze at 0.15.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lochte signs new endorsement deal, legal woes persist in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO - U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte landed a new endorsement deal on Thursday days after losing all his major sponsors even as the fallout from the Rio Olympics continued as Brazilian police recommended he be charged with falsely reporting a crime.

Pine Bros Softish Throat Drops, which makes cough drops, said it had signed Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, for a television commercial and print ads.

Lochte, 32, lost all four of his major sponsors on Monday, including Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren Corp, following his apology for an "exaggerated" story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro after a party.

"We all make mistakes, but they're rarely given front page scrutiny," Pine Bros Chief Executive Rider McDowell said in a statement on Thursday. "I'm confident that Pine Bros fans will support our decision to give Ryan a second chance."

Lochte's account of being held up with three team mates by men dressed as police officers embarrassed the host city, angered local officials and dominated news coverage of South America's first Olympics, amid heightened concerns over security in the crime-ridden metropolis.

Police and Lochte's teammates subsequently said that he had committed an act of vandalism at a gas station and became embroiled in a dispute with employees, who had demanded compensation. One of the security staff drew his weapon when the row became heated, police said.

Rio police said in a statement they had recommended that prosecutors bring charges against Lochte for falsely reporting a crime - a minor misdemeanor normally punishable by a fine.

Teammate Jimmy Feigen agreed last week to pay 35,000 real ($10,833) to a charity in Rio in compensation for having the same charges dropped and the return of his passport, which had been seized by police, authorities said.

Lochte had left Brazil the day after the incident at the gas station took place.

Police said in their statement that the investigator in charge of the case had recommended to judges that Lochte be deposed in the United States and that a transcript be sent to the ethical commission of the International Olympic Committee (DOC).

Lochte won one gold medal at the Rio Olympics. He was the breakout star of the 2012 London Olympics, landing a short-lived reality TV series called "What Would Ryan Lochte Do?" and appearing, as himself, on top shows such as "30 Rock" and "90210".

In a tweet on Thursday, Lochte said: "Thanks to all the folks at Pine Bros for your confidence in me. I look forward to making you proud."

Reporting by Rodrigo Viga in Rio de Janeiro, Tatiana Ramil in Sao Paulo, Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru and Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Writing by Daniel Flynn; Editing by Kirti Pandey and Alan Crosby)

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US Olympic swimmer Feigen apologizes for Rio scandal

LOS ANGELES -- US swimmer James Feigen apologized Wednesday for his actions with three other gold medalists in a controversial incident during the Rio Olympics.

"First and foremost I would like to apologize for the serious distractions from the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, and Team USA," Feigen said in a statement.

"I want to thank the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the people of Rio de Janeiro for their hospitality in hosting these games," he said. "I have nothing but respect for the city."

Feigen recounted what had happened in events that began on August 14, when he and Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Ryan Lochte stopped at a gasoline station after leaving a party in the wee hours of the morning.

Lochte, who has since taken full responsibility for giving a false account of how they had been robbed at gunpoint, has lost sponsorship deals from companies such as swimwear maker Speedo over the scandal.

Feigen said that the swimmers had left the party at about 5:00 am in a taxi to go back to the Olympic Village, and had asked the driver "to pull over so we could relieve ourselves."

The driver stopped at a gas station but the bathroom door was locked, the 26-year-old swimmer said.

"We did not force entry into the bathroom, nor did we ever enter the bathroom. We did, however, make the regrettable decision to urinate in the grass behind the building," Feigen said.

"On our way back to the cab, Ryan Lochte pulled a poster in a metal frame off a wall," he said.

- 'Terrified' -

A man with a gun spoke with the cab driver and the athletes paid the driver and got out of the car.

"As I walked away, the man with the gun pointed it at me and my teammate and ordered us, in Portuguese, to sit," he said.

"This was the first time I have ever had a gun pointed at me and I was terrified.

"I put my hands up and sat down on the curb. It became apparent that the man with the gun was telling us to pay, and I was unsure if they were affiliated with the gas station."

Feigen said that he and Bentz gave the man some money and then were allowed to leave.

Later that day, a Rio police detective came to the USA House to take a statement and since he was the only person available, Feigen said, he was told by a US Olympic Committee official to provide a statement.

"In this statement, I omitted the facts that we urinated behind the building and that Ryan Lochte pulled a poster off the wall," he said. "I was trying to protect my teammates."

Feigen said that later his US passport was confiscated by Brazilian authorities.

A Brazilian court gave him two options: one to remain in Brazil while the police continued the investigation, estimated to take at least a month.

The second option was to pay a fine of $31,250 for the return of his passport and perform 15 days of community service. He rejected both offers.

In the end, he said, all parties agreed to a $10,800 fine, which was paid promptly.

"I am very thankful to be home in the United States with my family and that this ordeal has come to an end," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

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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Phelps writes new page with four wins in same event

Michael Phelps of the United States won the Olympic 200 meters individual medley on Thursday to capture the 22nd gold medal of his career and become the first swimmer to win the same event at four consecutive Games.

Japan's 400 IM champion Kosuke Hagino won silver and Wang Shun of China took bronze, both moving dramatically through the field on the final length after turning in fifth and seventh place.

It was yet another extraordinary swim for Phelps, 31, who has now won two individual and two relay golds at his fifth Olympics, two years after coming out of retirement.

His medal haul has now risen to 26, including two silvers and two bronzes, with the 100 butterfly final still to come on Friday. Thirteen of his golds have come in individual races, the rest in relays.

"Right now I don't know how to wrap my head around that. I don't know what to say. It's been a hell of a career," Phelps told reporters, while acknowledging the strain on his 31-year-old body.

"That hurt a lot ... my body is in pain, my legs are hurting, I'm tired."

Despite winning four golds in London in 2012, Phelps has said he was dissatisfied with his preparation and results there and wants to bow out on his own terms.

"The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I've been able to kind of finish how I wanted to. I've been able to come back and I've been able to accomplish things that I just dreamt of," he said.

"GREATEST EVER"

He was lauded by the Rio crowd, with one banner proclaiming "Phelps Greatest Olympian Ever". At the medal ceremony he swayed slightly and breathed deeply, his eyes moist, as he listened to the U.S. anthem.

Phelps then raised his arms to salute the crowd as fiancee Nicole cradled their baby son Boomer in the stands.

There was little time to savor the moment, however, as he raced back off the pool deck to get ready for the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly, which he also has the chance to win for a fourth successive Games.

He finished second in his semi-final to qualify fifth fastest for Friday's final.

In the medley, Brazil's Thiago Pereira went off fastest, leading from Phelps after the butterfly leg, with Ryan Lochte of the United States and Hagino neck-and-neck just behind.

With the Rio crowd's excitement mounting, the three turned almost together after the backstroke, with Lochte just 0.01 seconds ahead.

Phelps led from Pereira and Lochte at the final turn and powered on as the other two faded, opening the way for Hagino and Wang to grab the two other medals.

Phelps clocked one minute, 54.66 for a comfortable winning margin of 1.95 seconds.

Japan's Hiromasa Fujimori was fourth and Lochte fifth in the last individual race of his long career, with a flagging Pereira seventh.

Phelps' four consecutive golds in the same event are unique for a swimmer, and place him in the same Olympic pantheon as fellow-Americans Al Oerter in the discus and Carl Lewis in the long jump.
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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