Joseph Schooling: Swims Up to 2024, With a Side of Humor
Two years after landing a shiny gold in the 100‑m butterfly at Rio, Singapore’s Joseph Schooling is setting his sights on less flashy goals: “The next stop? 2024. I’m not thinking about swimming beyond that yet,” he told reporters on August 18 after a crisp workout at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Centre.
Why 2024?
- Bringing back that Rio swagger—he wants to prove he can still make heads turn.
- Two more Olympic chances—Tokyo 2020 (now just a memory) and Paris 2024, both golden opportunities.
- Big enough to brag, small enough to fit into his training plan.
Getting in the “Worst‑Case” Zone
He jokes that winning the 100‑m butterfly in Tokyo will feel like trying to find a clean sock after a marathon. “I train for the worst and push hard enough so I can hold my own even when everything’s off,” he says with a grin.
Since Rio, his weight dropped 4 kg and he’s back on track after a slump that left him hanging in the shadows.
Event Highlights at the Asian Games
- The first event is the 50‑m freestyle this Tuesday; no pressure, just pure excitement.
- He’s telling teammates:
I don’t care about outside pressure—just the one I put on myself.
- Expect a men’s relay boost if Singapore reaps the gems from the 4×100 m free and 4×100 m medley. ”If they click right… we could give China and Japan a run for their money,” he says.
Relay Moxie
At last year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, the 4×100 m relay clocked 3 min 17.85 sec—well under the 2014 bronze time of 3 min 22.45.
Schooling comments on his teammates: They’re fearless. It’s great to see their fighting spirit. If we all line up, we’ll be fire‑to‑you.
Women’s Team – A Bit of a Void
Tao Li’s absence leaves a missing piece, but Coach Gary Tan believes the girls will rise. Highlights include:
- Amanda Lim: 25.38 sec in the 50‑m freestyle—matching her personal best.
- Roanne Ho: 31.31 sec in the 50‑m breaststroke, ranking sixth in Asia.
Newcomers & Future Stars
Four teen swimmers—Zachary Tan, Cherlyn Yeoh, Darren Chua, and Jonathan Tan—make their big‑game debut at the Indonesian Games. Coach Tan says: It’s good to see where they stand against the seniors and the mix of experience will help us tackle bigger challenges leading up to Tokyo.
In a fun aside, Tan mused that the blend of youth and veterans is key. “It’s about how we fuse them for the future,” he added, hinting at a creative, flexible training philosophy.
With his eye on the 2024 horizon, Schooling’s message is clear: He’ll keep swimming, chasing trophies, and most importantly, keeping the joy alive. And if the need for a splashy drama ever arises? He’s ready to dive in—just not beyond 2024.
