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Singapore\’s Schooling Sets Backstroke Record, Team Clinches Silver in Medley Relay

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Singapore\’s Schooling Sets Backstroke Record, Team Clinches Silver in Medley Relay

Unexpected Backstroke Showdown at OCBC Aquatic Centre

Joseph Schooling, the sprint king and Olympic gold medallist, surprised everyone by ditching his buttery‑butterfly run and flipping onto backstroke, bringing the crowd to their feet at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Saturday night.

With just 3,000 eager swimmers watching, the 23‑year‑old managed to make a splash in a relay that wasn’t his usual beat. He clocked a 24.08‑second 50‑meter backstroke – a brand‑new national record that eclipses Quah Zheng Wen’s 2014 benchmark.

Team Triumph

  • Schooling (backstroke)
  • Roanne Ho (breaststroke)
  • Teong Tzen Wei (butterfly)
  • Amanda Lim (freestyle)

These four stars snatched the silver in 1:42.21, just a heartbeat behind the Australian crew that finished in 1:39.69.

Bronze Is Back – And with a New Record

Not stopping there, Schooling dived into the 50‑meter butterfly final, finishing third with a 22.40‑second swim that also set a national record.

Behind the Scenes

When he was asked by the Oceanic Coach, Gary Tan, to try backstroke, Schooling said, “If it’s 50 m and short‑course, I’m there.” A remark that proved both his versatility and his chill confidence.

Wrapping It Up

So yeah, Schooling swapped strokes, broke records and left the crowd in awe – proving that even a champ can keep things exciting and a bit off‑beat. Cheers to the Singapore team, and here’s to many more surprise moves!

Singapore’s Swimmer Schooling and the World Cup’s Olympic Aspirations

Schooling’s Bold Stroke for the Olympics

  • Short‑course sprints are essentially a battle under the water.
  • Schooling admits that his regular swim is a bit slower than his underwater bursts, but that pace carried him past the competition, earning Singapore its first medal in the event.
  • He praised teammate Quah Zheng Wen for being a superior backstroker and believed that if Zheng returned from the U.S. to race again, he would likely outperform the current leader.
  • “Setting a brand‑new national record in backstroke is awesome,” Schooling said, “and I’m thrilled to hold the title.”

    • In the coming weeks, Schooling will hop on a flight to the United States to finish his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He plans to return to Singapore by February for intensive training ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

    World‑Cup Standouts Eye Olympic Glory

  • Vladimir Morozov of Russia dominated the Fina World Cup, winning four races in three days—including a 50m freestyle in a blazing 22.17 seconds.
  • The 26‑year‑old snagged the Asian cluster title and the overall men’s champion belt, earning a combined $200,000.
  • “Short‑course is my home turf, but I’m also forging my best long‑course times,” Morozov said.
  • On the women’s side, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu captured the Asian cluster and $50,000.
  • Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden claimed the overall women’s title, pocketing $150,000 and sweeping five events in Singapore, including a 100m freestyle in 51.13 seconds.
  • “The points race was neck‑and‑neck this year, and I’m thrilled to clinch another trophy,” Sjostrom shared.
  • “Next year, I’ll focus on Olympic prep: skipping some travel to prioritize long‑course practice and gym work.”

    • Takeaway

    Both Singapore’s Schooling and international stars are laser‑focused on building their Olympic dreams. While the World Cup gave them chance to cement their legacies, the ultimate aim remains: to bring home glory at the Tokyo Games.

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