Schooling takes another butterfly gold

SINGAPORE – Singapore national swimmer Joseph Schooling made it a butterfly double at the Atlanta Classic Swim Meet on Sunday morning (May 15), when he took gold in the 200m butterfly final in a new season-best time for 2015-16.

Just a day after winning the 100m fly event in what is also his best time this year, Schooling returned to the pool and won the 200m fly final in a time of 1min 57.37secs.

Pace Clark, who was second to 18-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps at last month’s Arena Pro Swim Series in the 200m fly, claimed silver in 1:58.03. Kyle Higgins was third in 1:58.83.

Schooling’s time in the 200m fly will place him 28th in the world this year, according to world swimming body Fina.

Although the Singaporean’s personal best in the event - clocked at 1:55.73 during last June’s South-east Asian Games in Singapore - is still more than one second faster than his effort today, the 20-year-old told TODAY he is still happy with his performance at the Atlantic Classic.

“I thought I did pretty well overall,” Schooling said. “I feel fit and raced well despite having hard practices.

“I’m confident going into this summer, and the Olympics.”