The boy who beat his inspiration eight years after meeting his Olympic hero
In 2008, a 13 year old boy by the name of Joseph Isaac Schooling got to meet his hero and inspiration, Michael Phelps when the Olympian visited Singapore. Phelps won many gold medals in swimming, he is the most successful Olympic athlete of all time. 8 years later, in 2016 Rio Olympia, Schooling rocked the swimming world when he defeated Michael Phelps in the 100m Butterfly finals.
Schooling set a new Olympic record of 50.39sec on Friday and edged out his idol. Phelps is a source of inspiration for Schooling as a swimmer. He believes if it wasn’t for Phelps, he would not have become the champion he is today.
Joseph Schooling, born and raised in Singapore, a tiny nation that has never being able to product a swimming champ in the Olympia. Before this win, Joseph Schooling and his parents had to first endure seven years of toil and sacrifice. They face challenges. Schooling has to move halfway across the world in 2009 to the United States, in pursuit of the training environment that could shape and prepare him. This was no easy task, they spent a lot of energy and money. It is a labour of love and hope of achievement. It all paid off when Schooling stepped up to the podium to receive this gold medal.