Schooling Beats Childhood Idol Phelps; Wins Singapore’s 1st Gold

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling won his country’s first Olympic Gold by beating Michael Phelps in the 100m Butterfly.

Schooling photographed with Phelps as a child, and both of them at the Olympic Medal Ceremony. (Photo: Twitter/@darrenrovell and AP)

After 22 Individual Olympic Gold medals, Michael Phelps was finally beaten by Singapore’s Joseph Schooling. The Singaporean swimmer not just beat Phelps in the 100 meters Butterfly, but made history by winning his country’s first Olympic Gold.

With his outstanding performance, Schooling denied Phelps a Gold in his final race as the American swimmer announced his retirement after Rio.

As a young boy, Schooling was photographed with his idol Phelps.

Phelps’ First Silver in Rio Ends in a Three-Way Tie

Phelps finished second, along with South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh as Schooling won gold with a record time of 50.39. The three-way tie was astonishing, but it isn’t unprecedented in the sport.

Phelps congratulating Schooling after the race. (Photo: AP)

All three of them swam over to Schooling and congratulated him on his win. Though Phelps’ couldn’t win his 23rd Gold, he seemed jovial and cheered Schooling’s win.