He might be only 21 years old, but he has done what no other Singaporean has done before: win the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Singapore in the Rio Olympics this year.
And you got to admit, when he did it, he did it in style.
Beating his Childhood Idol, Michael Phelps
We all have our own idols when we’re kids, but how many of us can claim to meet that idol on the battlefield and win?
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Joseph Schooling mentioned that Michael Phelps is his idol and he was beyond ecstatic to swim alongside him within the same pool.
According to media reports, he touched the wall in 50.39 seconds, a second ahead of swimming legend Michael Phelps, South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Hungarian Laszlo Cseh who finished the swim in 51.14 seconds.
Breaks Olympic Record for 100m butterfly event
And not only did he beat his childhood idol, he had to go a step further and beat the Olympics record set by him as well.
Joseph Schooling’s record of 50.39 seconds also beat the previous Olympic record for the event – 50.58s clocked by Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
He couldn’t believe it at first
When interviewed by the media, he mentioned that everything was so surreal.
“It feels great, it kinds of feels surreal right now, it’s crazy,” said Schooling after the race. “I really can’t describe how this moment feels. All the adrenaline is running through my veins right now. It’s a dream come true.” – channelnewsasia.com
Joseph Schooling to go after a World Record
According to his father, Colin Schooling, a world record could be next.
“Singapore, he did what you all wanted and he did it in style,” -Colin Schooling, channelnewsasia.com
The most important thing, he mentioned, is to show Singaporean kids that anything is possible as long as they work hard enough.
“The most important thing is to be an ambassador for all our children in Singapore that gives them hope that they also can do it. There’s nothing special about him, just a boy who is interested in the sport.” – Colin Schooling, channelnewsasia.com
A Podium Finish in 2015
Incidentally, Schooling had been getting great recognition as a swimmer even before this Olympic event.
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He competed in the 2015 World Championships and finished with a bronze medal, the first-time ever Singapore has ever gotten a podium finish.
Did you notice this interesting fact?
Okay, putting everything aside, one number kept jumping out at us – the year 2008 and the number 8.
Joseph Schooling managed to get a picture together with idol Michael Phelps in 2008, and 8 years later, he smashed Michael Phelps Olympic record, which was set by the American swimmer in 2008 as well.
Featured Image: straitstimes.com
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This article was first published on goodyfeed.com
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