Singapore’s Joseph Schooling stuns great Michael Phelps to win Lion City’s first ever gold
Schooling pulls off a major upset at the Rio Games to beat his one-time idol in men’s 100m butterfly
Joseph Schooling pulled off a stunning upset at the Rio Olympics on Friday by beating Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly to win Singapore’s first ever gold medal.
Asian champion Schooling, 21, completed a wire-to-wire victory to deny Phelps a fourth successive title in the event, winning in a Games record 50.39 seconds as Phelps, amazingly, tied with both Chad le Clos and Laszlo Cseh for the silver.
“I’m sorry if I don’t seem like I’m full of emotions,” said a shocked Schooling after the race. “I don’t know what to believe – that I actually did it or I’m still preparing for my race. I’m between the two of them.
“I need to let this moment sink in, realise what I’ve done and then I’ll have a better understanding of what I accomplished. But right now all I can say is I’m really honoured and privileged to have an opportunity to race in an Olympic final alongside huge names like Michael (Phelps), Chad (Le Clos), and Laszlo (Cseh), guys that have redefined the sport.”