Schooling set for Phelps showdown

SINGAPORE — In what could be a prelude to August’s Rio Olympics, Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling is set to race against childhood idol Michael Phelps in Austin, Texas, next month.

After winning the 200m butterfly final at the Atlantic Classic Swim Meet yesterday in a season-best time of 1min 57.37s to add to his 100m fly title a day earlier, Schooling told TODAY that he is looking forward to a showdown with Phelps at the 2016 Elite Invite (June 3-5), hosted by the Longhorn Aquatics at the University of Texas.

Phelps had initially planned to compete at the past weekend’s Atlantic Classic, but the American pulled out of the competition earlier this month while awaiting the birth of his first child.

The 18-time Olympic gold medallist has since confirmed his participation at the Elite Invite in a Facebook chat with fans.

“I am disappointed (about not getting the chance to race Phelps at this meet, but) he has things to take care of, and that’s more important,” said Schooling, 20, who last raced against Phelps during the 2012 Olympics in London. “(But) I will race him in Austin next month.”

This means Schooling, a University of Texas sophomore, will line up against Phelps at his home ground, where he is under the tutelage of Longhorn Aquatics head coach Eddie Reese.

Phelps, however, is no stranger to the University of Texas pool. It was there that the legendary swimmer broke his first world record in the 200m fly at the age of 15, clocking 1:54.92. He has since re-written his own mark eight times to hold the current record of 1:51.51.

“It’s always a pleasure to go head-to-head with Phelps,” said Schooling. “It takes me to the next level, and I always want to beat the greatest.”

Schooling’s latest performances at Atlanta were promising — although the results were some time off his personal best.

He won the 200m fly final yesterday in 1:57.37, just a day after he also claimed the 100m fly title (51.86secs) in what is the 13th fastest time in the world this year at the Georgia Tech Natatorium.

His personal bests for the 200m and 100m fly are 1:55.73, and 50.96 respectively.

But Singapore national swimming head coach Sergio Lopez said that Phelps would have been watching — especially after Schooling’s strong performances at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where he took the 100-yard and 200-yard fly golds and helped the Texas Longhorns win three relay gold medals.

“Phelps is intelligent and experienced. He will analyse his competition left and right, and he will have Jo in his sights,” said Lopez in March.

Schooling has qualified for the 100m and 200m fly, and 100m freestyle events in Olympic “A” cut timings, but will only swim two events at August’s Rio Olympics.