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Joseph can break 100m butterfly world mark: Colin Schooling

New Olympic champ’s father says he knew all along that Joseph would deliver on world stage, and is now slated for bigger things.

SINGAPORE — There was no hint of conceit as Colin Schooling recounted his meeting with George Yeo, the then-Minister for Foreign Affairs, eight years ago during a chance encounter at a country club.

His son Joseph was just a teenager then, but Colin already had every faith that the budding young swimmer would be a world-beater, as he said: “Joseph was only 13… I told George Yeo, ‘this is my gift to Singapore’.

“The Minister kept quiet for a while, and then he said he was inspired (by what I told him).”

It is this unyielding faith in their only son that has the Schoolings – Colin and his wife May – convinced that newly-crowned 100m butterfly Olympic champion Joseph will be able to fulfill his next goal: breaking American great Michael Phelps’ world record mark of 49.82sec in the event.

Speaking to TODAY in his office at Parkway Parade, the 68-year-old businessman whipped out a folder containing his detailed entries of all of Joseph’s races as a young boy.

Insisting that it was not blind faith behind the couple’s belief in Joseph’s abilities, he said: “You think (his gold medal) surprised me? If I can say when Joseph is 13 that he is a gift to Singapore, I have an inkling what’s going to happen.

“His performance is not a flash in the pan.

“He’s going for the world record, and he will be the first Singaporean to own a world record (if he is successful).

“It can happen in any meet, and maybe he can crack it at the World Championships next year in Budapest, or at the SEA Games.”

Since Joseph’s historic gold-medal win in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 13, Colin and May have become mini celebrities here – particularly in their neighbourhood in Marine Parade – with strangers approaching the couple on the streets to congratulate them on their son’s success.

Joseph’s groundbreaking gold, his good looks and winning personality have also proven a dream catch for corporate brands and companies – a number of them took out congratulatory advertisements in the local newspapers after his Olympic victory.

While the University of Texas undergraduate will not be able to cash in on any commercial deals as he is still a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athlete – the rules state that all college athletes must be amateurs in order to compete in NCAA competitions – his parents are exploring options for the swimmer when he graduates in two years’ time.

While their phones have been ringing off the hook with requests and offers from marketing agencies and brands, the Schoolings plan to meet with legal, tax and media experts before deciding on their next move.

Joseph had also said in previous media interviews that he is considering a professional career in the United States after his graduation. “Being professional is good for him and I encourage it,” said Colin.

“Swimmers like Michael Phelps make S$13 to S$14 million a year. Joseph is marketable, he has the looks, he’s suave, and he’s got potential. He can do that (turn professional) after March 2018 when he finishes the NCAA.”

For now, the Schoolings – who are still recovering from Schooling-mania triggered by Joseph’s whirlwind five-day celebration tour – are happy to soak in their son’s historic moment for Singapore.

Said Colin: “I always wanted to hear Majulah Singapura play in an Olympic stadium, and that is the greatest gift my son gave me.”

Added May with a laugh: “I’m so happy that everyone is rejoicing with us.

“I’ve lost my identity as I’m now known as Joseph’s mummy… but of course, I enjoy it!”

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