Singapore’s Joseph Schooling Beats Phelps In 100M Butterfly In Rio

The 100-meter butterfly has always proved to be one of the most challenging events for five-time Olympian Michael Phelps. 

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling Beats Phelps In 100M Butterfly In Rio

The shortest individual race in Phelps’ Olympic program has consistently been the one in which his victory margin is the smallest. His three straight wins, beginning at the 2004 Games in Athens, came by a total margin of 28-hundredths of a second.

In his last three finals, the 31-year-old American swimming star had never been better than fifth after the first 50. In Friday night’s final, he finished more than a half-second behind the frontrunner, Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, a rising junior and all-American swimmer at the University of Texas.

Phelps dashed after Schooling in the last 50, but the 21-year-old Singaporean was unstoppable. He finished with a time of 50.39, faster than Phelps swam in any of his Olympic triumphs.

“As a kid I wanted to be like him,” said Schooling, who took a photo with Phelps before his eight-gold-medal showing at the Beijing 2008 Games. “It’s crazy to think of what happens in eight years. A lot of this is because of Michael. He’s the reason I wanted to become a swimmer.”

Phelps tied for second with Hungarian Laszlo Cseh and South African Chad le Clos in 51.14. Le Clos first defeated Phelps in butterfly in 200-meter in 2012.

At le Clos’s suggestion, the silver medalists interlocked hands and raised their arms like relay members as they walked to the medals podium. “I think it was a great thing because we are good friends and we have a long history together,” Cseh stated. “It was right to do that.”

Phelps, who was vying for a fourth consecutive Olympic title in the event, clearly appeared tired.

“I’m enjoying the sport like I did when I was an 18-year-old,” said Phelps.

Phelps took comfort in knowing he had worked hard and prepared well, unlike his half-hearted approach to the 2012 London Games, where he seemed to rely on guile and guts to win six medals, including four golds.

“I’ve been able to stand on the block and say I’ve done everything I could to prepare myself, and that’s all that matters,” he said.

During the post-race news conference, Phelps sat beside Schooling. After answering several questions directed at him, the American playfully stopped the media: “Joe should be getting most of the questions,” he said. “He just won a gold medal.”

Phelps added he was proud of schooling. Seeing his time gave Phelps permission to retire. “Being able to close the door on the sport the way I wanted to, that’s why I’m happy right now,” he said.

The appreciative crowd at Olympic Aquatics Stadium, which applauded non-stop for Phelps, included his fiancee, Nicole Johnson, and the couple’s 3-month-old son Boomer, who seemed to be perfectly sound asleep.

Meanwhile, Team USA’s Maya DiRado came from behind to win the 200-meter backstroke on Friday, beating Hugnary’s Katinka Hosszu with a time of 2 minutes, 5.99 seconds. Canada’s Hilary Caldwell finished third in 2:07.54.

DiRado, 23, swam in her final race on Friday before retiring to begain a job with a management consulting firm in Atlanta.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 12: Joseph Schooling of Singapore celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men’s 100m Butterfly Final on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)