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Schooling’s swim sets fraternity abuzz

SINGAPORE — National swimmer Joseph Schooling’s silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday (yesterday morning, Singapore time) has set the Republic’s swimming and sporting communities abuzz, with some calling it “insane” and others describing it as “phenomenal”.

Joseph Schooling. TODAY FILE PHOTO

Joseph Schooling. TODAY FILE PHOTO

SINGAPORE — National swimmer Joseph Schooling’s silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday (yesterday morning, Singapore time) has set the Republic’s swimming and sporting communities abuzz, with some calling it “insane” and others describing it as “phenomenal”.

The 19-year-old’s time of 51.69sec not only is a national record and Singapore’s first medal in swimming in the history of the Games, but it would also have placed him fourth in the final at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The fact that he had pushed eventual winner and 2012 Olympics silver medallist Chad le Clos of South Africa all the way at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre made his feat even more impressive.

“That was a crazy fast swim! To go under 52 seconds is such a feat and he is still not at his peak,” said two-time Olympian Mark Chay. “Former national swimmers like myself were discussing his phenomenal performance and everyone is incredibly excited by what we’re witnessing.”

Low Teo Ping, Singapore’s Chef de Mission to the Glasgow Games, described the teenager as someone “who could finally do us proud at the Olympics”. “The sacrifices his parents have made for him, the system in the United States at Bolles School and the support system back home with his National Service deferment are all bearing fruit,” he said.

Low added that Le Clos, who took the gold medal in a Games record of 51.29, and bronze medallist Adam Barrett of England (51.93), were impressed by the Singaporean’s gutsy performance.

But amid the euphoria, Schooling acknowledged that he had underestimated the pressure placed on him, which had inhibited his form, such as in the 200m fly final, in which he finished last. Said Singapore national head coach Ian Turner: “Pressure is something the boy is still trying to cope with. If he can be comfortable in his swims like in the 100m fly, we will see even more from him.”

Chay also warned of potential pitfalls. “At higher level meets such as the World Championships, Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, he must cope with having to put together three good swims (heats, semi-finals, finals),” said 32-year-old, who won the men’s 200m freestyle at the 2001 SEA Games.

For now, Schooling and his family will take a brief break before he begins studying at the University of Texas in Austin next month.

“The medal is a relief. I have not slept much as my phone has been beeping with congratulatory messages,” said his mother, May Schooling, who left for Glasgow last night. “The medal is not just for Joseph, as we like to share it with all Singaporeans.”

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