Latest News

Joseph Schooling announces retirement from competitive swimming in Instagram post

Joseph Schooling, olympic medalist, retires from competitive swimming

Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling has retired from competitive swimming.

Announcing the news early today (2 April) on his Instagram page, Schooling said this marks the beginning of a new chapter.

“The victories were exhilarating, the defeats humbling, and together, they have forged a resilience in me that I will carry forward into my next chapter,” he said.

The 28-year-old added that he is “filled with gratitude for every experience that swimming has brought into my life”.

While I am stepping away from competing, swimming will forever be a part of who I am. It has given me a platform to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter the odds.

Joseph Schooling’s meteoric rise

Schooling’s major breakthrough came when he won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly race at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the first Singaporean to do so.

He went on to nab nine golds in the 2015 SEA Games, as well as a bronze medal at the 2015 FINA World Championships — Singapore’s first medal there.

Then followed his historic gold medal victory in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Olympics games, Singapore’s first ever Olympic gold medal. He beat Michael Phelps and Chad le Clos, and also set a new Olympic record.

Source: Joseph Schooling on Instagram

His return from the games that year was marked with great fanfare, including a victory parade that saw crowds line the street.

Schooling went on to win medals at other meets, including two golds at the 2018 Asian Games.

However, 2019 was the start of a series of challenges. He failed to qualify for the semi-finals of both the 50m and 100m butterfly events at the swimming world championships that year.

 

In 2020, he was not able to defend his Olympics title, failing to qualify for the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics. A year later, his father, Colin Schooling, died from cancer.

In 2022, he enlisted in National Service. That year, he confessed to consuming cannabis overseas.

A year later, he withdrew from the 2023 SEA Games and was excluded from the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Source: Singapore Swimming Association on Facebook

In his post, Schooling said he is looking forward to new adventures.

Noting that he owes “a tremendous amount of gratitude to my family, coaches, teammates, and my supporters”, he said their encouragement and faith have been a constant source of motivation.

“I am eager to explore new passions, face different challenges, and see where this next phase of life takes me. Thank you to my supporters for standing by me every step of the way. I hope you will join me as I embark on this new adventure.”

Also read: Joseph Schooling Swam In Tokyo Olympics While Father Fights Cancer, Netizens Applaud His Determination

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Joseph Schooling on Instagram.

Joy Fang

Joy has a soft spot for good food and believes there’s nothing better than hot tea, cake and a good read on a rainy day.

Recent Posts

British man jailed for verbally abusing auxiliary police officer & grabbing her chest at Changi Airport

Other officers who tried to intervene were also pushed and subjected to vulgarities, causing them…

18 Apr 2025, 10:45 am

Hornbill family gathers on tray return rack in Newton, enjoys fruit ‘buffet’

They shared the fruit amongst each other rather than fighting over it.

18 Apr 2025, 8:00 am

GE2025: WP to field AHTC property manager in Sengkang GRC, joins 3 incumbent MPs

His knowledge of the ground in Sengkang was cited as the reason for fielding him…

18 Apr 2025, 7:45 am

‘No soul in it’: S’pore artists on why ChatGPT’s Ghibli AI trend feels like a shortcut to magic

“How can something that isn’t human produce something with a human touch?" asked one of…

18 Apr 2025, 2:10 am

Woman’s finger reportedly almost severed during fight along Neil Road, police investigating

The woman eventually walked to the hospital by herself, said an eyewitnesses.

18 Apr 2025, 1:24 am

GE2025: 10 real issues WP hopes to tackle for S’poreans, according to its manifesto

Proposals include a national minimum wage and allowing younger singles to apply for BTO.

17 Apr 2025, 8:32 pm