Party time in Lion City: Singapore rejoices over first Olympic Games gold for Joseph Schooling

The 21-year-old Asian champion set a new Olympic record of 50.39 seconds as he edged out his American Michael Phelps, who ended in a dead heat for silver alongside South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary

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Singapore's Joseph Schooling poses with his gold medal on the podium of the men's 100m butterfly final. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:30pm, 13 Aug 2016Updated: 5:29pm, 13 Aug 2016

Singapore exploded in celebration on Saturday after home-grown swimming hero Joseph Schooling beat US legend Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly final in Rio de Janeiro to win the tiny republic’s first ever Olympic Games gold medal.

The 21-year-old Asian champion set a new Olympic record of 50.39 seconds as he edged out his American idol Phelps, who ended in a sensational dead heat for silver alongside South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary.

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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Tony Tan, who were in Rio to cheer Team Singapore, led an outpouring of congratulations for Schooling, whose mixed European and Asian heritage has resonated in the immigrant society of 5.5 million people.

“It is an incredible feat, to compete among the world’s best, stay focussed, and emerge victorious,” Lee said in a Facebook post.

Gold medallist Joseph poses with joint silver medallists Michael Phelps, Chad Le Clos and Laszlo Cseh. Photo: Reuters

Schooling will receive S$1 million (HK$5.8m) for his gold medal as part of a programme aimed at encouraging studious Singaporeans to excel in sport.