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International media full of praise for record-breaking Schooling

SINGAPORE – Joseph Schooling’s historic achievement of winning Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal has been widely recognised by the international media.

Joseph Schooling celebrates winning the 100m butterfly final. Photo: Getty Images

Joseph Schooling celebrates winning the 100m butterfly final. Photo: Getty Images

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 SINGAPORE – Joseph Schooling’s historic achievement of winning Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal has been widely recognised by the international media.

The 21-year-old clinched gold in the men’s 100m butterfly final in a new Olympic record time of 50.39sec, defeating 22-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps from the United States, South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh, who all finished joint-second in 51.14sec.

The BBC and CNN, British newspapers such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail, the USA’s The New York Times and various other news giants all around the world took to their respective websites to highlight Schooling’s remarkable achievement.

‘Michael Phelps taught a lesson for once – by Singapore’s Joseph Schooling,’ was The Guardian’s headline. Senior sports writer Andy Bull wrote: “Schooling was, understandably enough, utterly overcome. Phelps helped him through it.”

“On their victory lap, Schooling turned to Phelps and said, “Dude this is crazy, out of this world, I don’t know how to feel right now.” Phelps smiled, and said “I know.”

CNN’s Eoghan Macguire highlighted how Schooling denied Phelps his 23rd Olympic gold medal.

“If there was a record for breaking records, Michael Phelps would doubtless don his goggles and cap to swim for it,” wrote Macguire.

“But the “Baltimore Bullet” couldn’t add to his unparalleled 22 Olympic gold medals in the 100-metre butterfly Friday as he was beaten by outsider Joseph Schooling,” he added.

“The 21-year-old Schooling punched the water upon realizing he had foiled three of the biggest names in world swimming.”

The New York Times’ Karen Crouse noted in ‘Somebody (His Name’s Joseph Schooling) Finally Beats Michael Phelps’ how Phelps simply could not catch Schooling.

“In his previous three finals, Phelps had never been better than fifth after the first 50. In Friday night’s final, he turned sixth, more than a half-second behind the leader, Joseph Schooling of Singapore, a rising junior and all-American swimmer at Texas,” she wrote.

“Phelps chased Schooling in the last 50, but Schooling could not be caught. He clocked a 50.39, faster than Phelps swam in any of his Olympic victories.”

The Daily Mail zeroed in on Schooling’s mood as he went onto the podium to collect his gold medal.

“Schooling, meanwhile, smiled and tried to take in the enormity of his win as the gold was placed around his neck and the unfamiliar national anthem of Singapore rang out.”

“The young swimmer clasped his chest, sang along and fought back tears before punching the air as he took a lap around the aquatic arena.

“He still looked awestruck as Phelps congratulated him warmly, scarcely able to believe he had beaten the Team USA legend.” 

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