Another Person Singapore Has To Thank For Joseph Schooling’s Olympic Gold Medal — Auntie Yolly

Behind every successful man is a woman, and behind Joseph Schooling’s success is an Auntie Yolly.

Many people have witnessed the evolution of Joseph Schooling’s success, but no one can ever beat Auntie Yolly, Schooling’s loyal domestic helper who has seen Schooling grow into the man he is today.

Ms Yolanda Pascual has been with the Schooling family since 1997, and still fondly refers to Schooling as her “waterboy”.

“I cried a lot when he left for the US. We are always together most of the days”

“When I miss him, I read our messages (on the phone). He’s like my own son.”

In a report by The Straits Times, the 56-year old was over the moon when she found out that Schooling had clinched a gold medal in the Rio Olympics this year.

“I’ve always believed in him. I was watching and shouting for him. I cannot express how happy I am… I was jumping and crying after he won.”

She shared that Schooling had to make certain sacrifices while he was young, and never had quite a normal childhood which was something he had to sacrifice in order to get into the record books.

 

In a recent video interview with Singtel, Schooling also commented that even though he wasn’t the easiest kid to handle, Auntie Yolly was always there by his side.

“As a kid, I wasn’t the easiest guy to handle. She was the one who always used to take care of me at home, cook for me, make me do my homework, etc. It’s just small little things like these that really go a long way”

Ms. Pascual would always be behind the scenes to pick Schooling up when he was down. The two to share a close bond, with him referring to her as his “second mom”.

He told me when he was very tired, and I’d give him a massage. Even now, when he comes back, he still asks for massages and he’s still like the young boy he was before he left.”

She even has a file with newspaper clippings of his achievements.

He’ll always say ‘I want to be No. 1’. I remember once we were watching (Michael) Phelps on TV, he told me he wanted to be there and be like him, and I knew he could do it. He has a very strong will; if he wants something, he’ll get it.”

She also added that even though Schooling was playful like most boys, he was also a loving and caring individual that never raises his voice at anybody – exhibiting the traits of Singapore’s first-ever Gold Olympic Medalist.

This article was first published on Goodyfeed.com