Singapore’s Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling quits competitive swimming, ready for “next phase of life”

The date 02.04.2024 is one prone to be remembered by Singaporeans — right now, the nation’s first Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has introduced that he’s quitting competitive swimming and is ready for the “subsequent phase of life”.

In an Instagram put up early this morning, Schooling wrote: “Today marks the start of a brand new chapter — I might be retiring from competitive swimming.

“I’m crammed with gratitude for each expertise that swimming has introduced into my life. The victories had been exhilarating, the defeats humbling, and collectively, they’ve solid a resilience in me that I’ll carry ahead into my subsequent chapter.

“Needless to say, I owe an incredible quantity of gratitude to my household, coaches, teammates, and my supporters; your encouragement and religion have been a continuing supply of motivation all through my journey.

“While I’m stepping away from competing, swimming will ceaselessly be a component of who I’m. It has given me a platform to encourage others to chase their desires, regardless of the chances.

“I’m wanting to discover new passions, face totally different challenges, and see the place this subsequent phase of life takes me. Thank you to my supporters for standing by me each step of the way in which. I hope you’ll be a part of me as I embark on this new journey.

“With love, Joseph Schooling.”

About 24,500 folks have to date responded to this Instagram put up, amongst them Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

PM Lee wrote: “Thank you for flying our flag excessive. All the very best for your subsequent chapter!”

Schooling, now aged 28, made Singapore go wild with pleasure when he gained the nation’s first ever Olympic gold medal on the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games in 2016.

Not solely did Schooling win gold, however he additionally beat the American legend Michael Phelps within the 100 metres butterfly race with a time of 50.39 seconds. It was as nice a triumph because it could possibly be for the younger swimmer, nicknamed “Singapore’s Flying Fish”.

Though he couldn’t repeat his gold-winning efficiency on the Tokyo Olympics 2020 (deferred due the pandemic and held in July-August 2021), the champion’s aura has remained with Schooling, who makes use of his swimming fame to advertise the sport of golf.

Just a number of months after the Tokyo Olympics, the Singaporean champion misplaced his father, Colin, in November 2021. In a put up dated December 6, 2021, Schooling wrote: “Two weeks of life with out Dad. It takes getting used to however Mum and I are doing our greatest. It’s odd to not come house to conversations with him on the couch, conversations which might be peppered together with his well-known one-liners that I strive my greatest to dwell as much as.”

This December 2021 Instagram put up captured the essence of what Schooling had learnt from his father: “Indeed, life won’t ever be the identical however I can hear him now, ‘Son, life carries on. Do your greatest. No regrets.’”

Perhaps that sums up why Schooling is ready to look ahead to his life now as a “common Joe”. The winner of essentially the most coveted sports activities medal on the planet mentioned after this morning’s announcement that it was his flip “to be a standard man”.

Following the Instagram put up stating that he was “retiring from competitive swimming”, the Singaporean champion held a media convention on the Chinese Swimming Club.

As questions got here speeding at him about his future plans, Schooling mentioned, as quoted by The Straits Times, “I don’t just like the connotation of retirement, as a result of it appears like there’s nothing to look ahead to subsequent as an athlete. I wish to be the very best in my area, and I’ll proceed placing the identical quantity of effort, dedication, and focus within the subsequent phase of my profession.”

Responding to a query a couple of doable foray into politics, Schooling smiled and mentioned, “Never say by no means, however for now I’m centered on taking part in golf, my enterprise capital, my swim faculty, and serving to out mum on the workplace. It’s my flip to be a standard man.”

Joseph Schooling, the making of a champion

• At the age of 14, Joseph Schooling went from Singapore to the United States to coach underneath Olympic medallist Sergio Lopez.
• At the age of 16, he made his debut on the SEA Games 2011, successful two gold medals — 50m and 200m butterfly.
• The SEA Games 2011 efficiency helped him qualify for the London Olympics 2012.
• At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014, he gained a silver medal for Singapore within the 100m butterfly race.
• His greatest second got here on the Rio Olympics 2016, when he raced previous Michael Phelps to assert gold within the 100m butterfly competitors.