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Schooling relishing challenge at C’wealth Games

SINGAPORE — He had wanted to skip the 2014 Commonwealth Games to have a break before starting college next month in Texas, but Singapore swim star Joseph Schooling (picture) has little regret that he is in the thick of the action right now in Glasgow.

Joseph Schooling of Singapore. Photo: Getty Images

Joseph Schooling of Singapore. Photo: Getty Images

SINGAPORE — He had wanted to skip the 2014 Commonwealth Games to have a break before starting college next month in Texas, but Singapore swim star Joseph Schooling (picture) has little regret that he is in the thick of the action right now in Glasgow.

Already making the 50m butterfly final, which took place in the early hours of this morning, 19-year-old Schooling is happy to be lining up against some of the world’s best in his Commonwealth Games debut.

Entered for seven events in Glasgow, the United States-based Schooling is working closely with his coach of five years, Sergio Lopez, to make sure he is able to peak twice in a short period of time, as he is gunning for a good showing at the Asian Games in two months (Sept 19 to Oct 4).

Lopez calls the situation a “delicate one”, and that Schooling needs to make sure he is saving some in his tank for Incheon.

“We are not risking everything and going all out at a competition like we usually do,” said Lopez, 45, in a phone interview from Glasgow.

“He is doing well now, and not feeling tired. The level of competition here is very high and Joseph is excited to be racing against some of the fastest swimmers in the world here.”

In the 50m fly heats, Schooling swam a personal best of 23.43secs, shading South Africa’s Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos and equalling the best time set by an Asian.

Said Lopez: “I do not know of any other swimmers, besides Le Clos, who will be Joseph’s biggest competitor at the Commonwealth Games. He is the main guy.”

Schooling will go up against Le Clos today in the 200m fly (5.37pm) and tomorrow in the 100m fly (6.49pm). The Singaporean’s personal best for the 200m fly is 1min 56.27s — Le Clos holds the Games record of 1:56.48 — and 52.33s for the 100m fly.

Added Lopez: “In the 100m fly, if Joseph can swim in 52s, then he is going to win a medal. In the 200m fly, he is also getting fast times during training so it is looking good.

“It is surely possible for Joseph to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. The competition is just behind the Olympics and FINA World Championships that he has taken part in, and he is ready.

“The next challenge is for Joseph to peak again at the Asian Games. He will be returning to Florida after the Commonwealths, and then moving to a different state and settling in with school and life. It will be hard on him, and he has to manage this well and come back to swimming again strongly. He is going to mature a lot.”

Tao Li out of 100m backstroke

Meanwhile, Tao Li pulled out of the 100 backstroke competition yesterday, electing to not contest the heats. Sources told TODAY that the 24-year-old had informed Team Singapore officials that she was not feeling well after swimming in the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly yesterday morning where she finished fifth in her race but was 10th overall and missed out on a spot in the final.

“She complained of gastric problems yesterday. I have not seen her yet, but maybe she is tired, and hopefully she will be back fine to focus on her 50m butterfly event,” said the source who chose not to be named.

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