Joseph Schooling’s Big Move: From Texas to Singapore and Back to the Olympics
After a stellar stint with the University of Texas’ Longhorns, 23‑year‑old Olympic champ Joseph Schooling is heading back to his homeland to prep for the 2020 Tokyo Games. The Swimmer’s recent interview with SwimSwam gave us all the juicy details.
When Will He Return?
“I’m set to fly back to Singapore after this semester wraps up,” Schooling told the camera. “I’ve got no idea which exact day yet—probably between January and February.”
- Finish the semester in Texas
- Spend a couple of weeks on the island swimming hard
- Say farewell to the Longhorns crew
- Get back home and launch the Olympic grind
Study Plan: No Master’s for Now
Despite being advised to consider a master’s degree, Schooling prefers to stick to swimming. “I’m not going after a Master’s right now. Maybe later after my racing career is done,” he said.
Training Team in Singapore
Having trained under Eddie Reese in Texas for four years, Schooling now trusts the trio at Singapore’s National Training Centre:
- Stephan Widmer
- Sonya Porter
- Gary Tan
“Gary is my number one coach, but the combination of Sonya and Stephan makes the whole unit unbeatable. Works like a well‑tuned canoe—no one can out‑slide those three together!” he laughed.
What Makes the Singapore Team Special?
He reminded us of the 2018 Asian Games extravaganza: “I pulled off two individual golds and two relay titles in Jakarta. That was thanks to the brilliant coaching crew at OCBC Aquatic Centre.”
Schooling shares that a new diet and switch-up in training routine helped him slim down before the Games, “and that’s the vibe I’m continuing.” He added, “They’ve got solid plans in place; I’m ready to dive into them.”
Key Takeaways
- Schooling will return to Singapore soon after his Texas semester.
- He’s putting the Olympics above further academics for now.
- Group coaching by Widmer, Porter, and Tan is key to his upcoming plan.
Stay tuned for more updates on this Singaporean superstar as he gears up to swim Japan’s water globe this summer.
