Schooling bounces back from hard times at the Asian Games

World
Europe

Joseph Schooling won two swimming golds for Singapore at the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia, representing a return to form following a rough patch in his career that began after the 2016 Rio Olympics, in which he won the first gold medal for his country.

Schooling ended China’s dream of winning the men’s 50-meter butterfly event for the fourth consecutive Asian Games when he won Singapore's second gold medal at the event, the only two golds that weren’t taken either by China or Japan in swimming.

“I feel great, whenever you can get your hands on the (swimming pool's) wall first is a big honor, to see my country’s flag get raised really high, I am really happy” Schooling said.

Joint silver medalists Michael Phelps (R2), Chad Guy Bertrand le Clos (L2), Laszlo Cseh and gold medalist Joseph Schooling (R) celebrate after the medals ceremony in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final at Rio 2016 Olympic Games. /VCG Photo

Schooling became famous after defeating swimming legend Michael Phelps at the 2016 Rio Olympics to win Singapore's first gold medal while also setting a Games record. But the young man only won bronze in the same event at last year's Budapest World Championships.

“Being an Olympic gold medalist, your whole life changes, so people they treat you differently, they look at you differently, expect different things from you, Schooling could have retired after the Olympics, but he decided to stick around and go for 2020 Olympics," said Stephan Widmer, Singapore team's head coach.

The 23-year-old Schooling has already been through a period of highs and lows in his career but his faith to the sport is perhaps what motivated his win. “Every time you have a chance to step up a race, it’s a chance to find out new things about yourself, something to improve on,” he added.

Joseph Isaac Schooling swims during men's 50m butterfly final match at Asian Games. /VCG Photo

The next major challenge will of course be the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where Schooling will try to prove himself again on the world’s biggest stage.

He is also set to compete in the men's 4x100m medley relay on Friday, the final day of the swimming competition at the current Asian Games.

But he will need to build on his positive results in Jakarta to reach new heights in the pool.