HANOI – The swagger that Singaporeans know and love about Joseph Schooling was back in the pool on Monday (May 16) as swimming’s golden boy claimed his first gold medal at these SEA Games in the 100m butterfly – also his fifth consecutive title in his pet event.
After Schooling touched the wall in 52.22 seconds to claim the top spot at the My Dinh Water Sports Palace, he grinned and slapped the water in celebration.
Compatriot Quah Zheng Wen finished second in 52.86sec, with Thai Navaphat Wongcharoen third in 52.98sec.
Schooling and his fans were happy to see him back to his winning ways at the biennial event, his first international meet since the Tokyo Olympics, where he failed to retain his gold medal from Rio.
The 26-year-old had endured a difficult six months after the Olympics, suffering the loss of his father Colin to liver cancer last November before enlisting for national service two months later.
On his race, Schooling said: “The timing was irrelevant for this one. It was about stepping up and getting your hand on the wall first. There are a lot of things we can work on during the race…
“But at the end of the day, I’m glad to get my one and only individual event out of the way. I could be doing more but you just swim the best you can when called upon.”
He added his second gold of the night in the 4x100m medley relay with Maximillian Ang, Quah Zheng Wen and Jonathan Tan.
The quartet touched home in 3:37.69, ahead of Vietnam (3:39.76) and Thailand (3:43.67). The victory was also redemption for Schooling and Co after a shock disqualification in the 4x100m freestyle last Saturday.
National head coach Gary Tan was full of praise for Schooling, whom he said has been a leading figure for the younger swimmers.
He said: “With what happened in the 4x100m, he really stepped up as an individual to really talk with the younger guys about how to move on from here… You can see the older guys like Zheng Wen and Jo rubbing off a very good vibe on the two boys.<img alt="" data-caption="(From far right) Quah Zheng Wen, Maximillian Ang and Joseph Schooling cheering after Jonathan Tan (in pool) touched the wall to secure gold for the men's 4×100 medley relay on May 16, 2022.
PHOTO: The Straits Times” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”ce9505e1-a6f7-47c0-a0c6-b428138dee96″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/170522_team_st.jpg”/>
Singapore’s Swimming Star, Schooling, Puts the Table on the Line for a Fifth SEA Games Splash
“He’s been a leader, especially in these SEA Games and I know that he would want to make it extra special, he’s been great.” — a proud teammate calling out what’s been a heart‑stopping ride.
Will He Swim It Out or Hang Up His Goggles?
Word on the street says this might be the swell swimmer’s last show at the SEA Games, but Schooling stirred up a bit of drama on Monday, hinting that he’s not ready to swap the water for a hat‑worn cardigan just yet.
He laughed, “That (winning five consecutive 100m fly titles) feels great, makes you feel kind of old as well. I’m really pleased to be able to do that.”
“At the end of the day, five in a row is really great, looking forward to maybe six next time I don’t know.”
Gold, Gold, and Maybe… Golden!
- He’s already bagged a 29th gold medal at the SEA Games – could easily hit the 30‑gold milestone by sprinting in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay tomorrow.
- Singapore’s the reigning champs in that relay, but Tan (the team’s cool, high‑roller manager) kept the lineup under wraps, saying, “I can’t say now because we are still in discussions on the relays… If we beat Vietnam, it’s a bonus for us.”
Rise of New Talent!
While Schooling splashed up the 100m freestyle (and maybe the relay gold), the team’s fresh faces were also showing off some serious skill.
- Gan Ching Hwee, only 18, clocked a 2:02.06 in the women’s 200m freestyle, out‑pacing Thailand’s Kamonchanok Kwanmuang (2:02.63) and teammate Chan Zi Yi (2:03.21).
- Debutante Letitia Sim also added a triumphant gold to the day’s haul.
The day’s total haul? Four gold medals – a tall order that will have the locals saying, “Your people can do it!”
Emotion, Energy, and a Dash of Dazzle
Schooling’s confidence is contagious, and the sprinters’ determination feels like the culmination of a summer soap‑opera all wrapped up in a water‑splash. It’s like the victories are not just wins but wild party scenes that’ll be spoken about for years to come, with ripples that inspire younger contestants to think, “If a veteran can do it, I’ve got to keep swimming too.”
<img alt="" data-caption="Gan Ching Hwee in action during the women’s 200m freestyle finals, on May 16, 2022.
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Singapore’s Big Win at the Games—A Stunning Turn of Events
Breaking the 13‑Year Curse
It was a watershed moment, because the Singapore swimmer clinched the gold in an event that had been quiet for 13 years.
The Prior Royalty
- For the last three editions, the distance was basically a Vietnamese playground thanks to queen Nguyen Thi Anh Vien.
- She’d taken the crown every time—like a marathon loop of triumph.
No Ties—Only Turns
With the 25‑year‑old legend, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, stepping away (swimsuit? check out) this March, the stage was set for a fresh showdown.
Ching Hwee’s Chemistry
Enter Ching Hwee, the Indiana University undergrad who swam her way to the finish.
- Her 800m freestyle title didn’t just shine—it sparkled, adding another record to her bag.
- Sunday’s race had her crossing the line as the undisputed champion.
It’s like, “If you’re waiting for that jaw‑dropping moment, it just happened!”
<img alt="" data-caption="Letitia Sim clocked a new personal best timing of 31.43sec in the women's 50m breaststroke finals, on May 16, 2022.
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Sim’s Sweet Victory: A 50m Breaststroke Triumph
Sim has put an end to her restless nerves and a little flustered training, soaring to the top of the 50-meter breaststroke podium at the weekend’s SEA Games. Once a silver‑and‑bronze contender, she now boasts a gold that feels just as sweet as a fresh batch of popcorn after a long movie night.
From Panic to Victory
“Honestly, this was the most challenging event for me physically and mentally. I was super nervous coming into this race, but I told myself that I’d just race,” Sim confessed, her face a mix of triumph and relief. “The time wasn’t that ideal, but I’m happy with a first-place finish and I’ll keep working into the first few days.”
She’s also a long‑distance specialist, and she highlighted the benefits of shorter races: “I feel that shorter distances really help me get that speed in. They keep me in check to make sure I’m not losing that much speed… it’s a really valuable asset to have.”
Fast Lane Highlights
- Sim (Singapore / U.S.): 31.43 seconds – Gold
- Jenjira Srisaard (Thailand): 31.63 seconds – Silver
- Christie Chue (Singapore): 32.10 seconds – Bronze
Sim added, “That took a lot out of me, overall I’m happy. It’s a good warm‑up for the 100m breaststroke next Thursday. I’m pretty excited.”
Other Singapore Stars Shine
- Glen Lim: Bronze in the 400m freestyle – 3:56.68
- Ardi Azman: 5th place in the 400m freestyle – 4:00.87
Looking ahead, the gold‑medal frenzy will pick back up on Tuesday. The Quah siblings – Zheng Wen, Ting Wen, and Jing Wen – will race in the men’s 50m backstroke and women’s 50m butterfly. Meanwhile, Ching Hwee is eyeing a third gold in the 400m free, and the men’s 4x200m free relay squad aims to defend their title.
Why This Feels Like More Than a Win
Sim’s victory isn’t just about the stopwatch; it’s a reminder of how perseverance and a pinch of confidence can turn a “what if” into a “yes we did.” Even the tiny scratches on her shoulders aren’t just a mark of effort—they’re a badge of honor.
As the SEA Games continue, we’ll keep watching the Singapore team heat up, reminding everyone that sports can be as thrilling as a roller‑coaster and as heartwarming as a good family recipe. Cheers to Sim—and to every athlete who takes a leap of faith and lands on the podium!
