As 2016 Olympic champion Joseph Schooling prepares for the 2022 Southeast Asian Games taking place this month in Hanoi, Vietnam, the former Texas Longhorn has decided not to compete at this year’s World Championships.
The 26-year-old from Singapore last competed at February’s Singapore National Age Group (SNAG) Major Games Qualifier event, where he nailed times of 23.78 and 52.09 in the 50m and 100m fly events, respectively. Those marks were quick enough to near his spot on the nation’s Southeast Games roster, as well as on the recently-postponed Hangzhou Asian Games.
Reflecting on those performances, Schooling told Yahoo Singapore, “I really didn’t want to swim at the SNAGs, but now I’m happy that I did, because it was a hurdle that I have to get over. I had to be able to qualify for the SEA Games and Asian Games, before everything got better in my mind.”
However, Schooling has confirmed he will be opting out of next month’s FINA World Aquatics Championships, as well as July’s Commonwealth Games.
He says, “Right now, the question is, ‘Okay, do I still want to do Paris? Or do I stop and reassess where I want to go after the Asian Games?”
Schooling continues, “Also, how do I balance what I need to do NS-wise (National Service) and getting the training I need? Because if this schedule persists, I don’t think I can make it to 2024 in Paris.
“There’s a certain point in your life where you have to take over everything, and I want to be prepared to take care of other people in my life, not just me,” he said.
“I feel a lot less stress nowadays. It’s like, whatever I do next in my swim career, it’s definitely not for outside reasons and pressures. The key now is to enjoy what I am working for.
“I’ve always enjoyed representing Singapore at the SEA Games, and this SEA Games being possibly my last will make it even more special. I won’t take anything for granted, and I’m going to appreciate whatever is going to happen.”
You can read up on the 2022 Southeast Asian Games here.
There will always be new blood. He has done his best though his performanve at the highest level was short lived
He did not maintain high intensity training to stay on top after his gold medal in Rio and that peak is now a bridge too far NS notwithstanding. His dad had also passed on so he is not pressured as well.
Geez. Sometimes I forget he’s only 26 and has basically been irrelevant in top swimming since he was 22. That’s pretty young to go sour when you have the financial support he’s had. Just shows how important the mental side of the sport is and really makes you appreciate how insanely mentally tough someone like Ledecky is.
Complacency?
The difference between Schooling’s attitude now and 3-5 years ago is astronomical
Is Joe Schooling elite?
I don’t think there’s anything more elite than a gold medal at the Olympics with Phelps, LeClos and Cseh behind you.
“Retiring” after Olympic gold seems pretty fair to me, what I believe is happening is that Schooling is struggling to accept that he’s swimming career is over, kinda like what Cielo does by never officially retiring and keeping his name on the testing pools.
Swimmers often grow up seeing the sport as their sole identity, that’s also the reason for so many mental health issues among us.
I agree. A gold medal, or a Superbowl for Joe Flacco make both the Joe’s elite.
Big difference between winning solo and winning with 39 other guys helping you get there.
Big difference between the verb “is” and its past tense alternative. He IS not elite. He once was.
I guess Phelps is not elite, Lochte is not elite, Missy Franklin is not elite, Simone Manuel is not elite,
Go win an Olympic medal, any colour, then maybe you won’t ask this question
He never was
Ugh. Well I guess I’ll need to redo my Worlds Pick’ems then.
Very mature response. Really happy for him and for that response because it means if he does take a run at Paris, it will be with full commitment since he feels that it is *his* decision and not influenced by others. Would love to see him there but it’s a big time in his life so could go the other way as well.