Originally published 11/18
2016 Olympic Champion Joseph Schooling has been back in Austin, Texas training with the Longhorn Pros this fall, finishing his final semester of undergrad. SwimSwam caught up with him at practice, a speed day, and we cannot share what happened–but it was fast. Joe and current training partner Jack Conger are 100% fit, and both are heading to different teams. (See Conger’s move to Virginia here.) Joe and Jack are striving to stay low-key as they start their run-up to the 2020 Olympic Games. Joe toyed with the idea of staying in Austin to get his masters, but that plan is now on hold. Joe will be heading back to Singapore in mid-to-late January to focus on and train for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He said he’s staying in Austin for a few weeks in January to set his training, get some base-work in, then he’s going back home. Joe’s happy at home, his schedule is structured, and he is a huge star there.
In this video Joe breaks down his Asian Games races and teases the future. It’s clear he’s focused on 2019 Worlds and the 2020 Olympics, and he’s got a growing stable of sponsors to service.
Looking ahead, race-wise, Joe has his work cutout for him. Caeleb Dressel appeared untouchable after ’17 Worlds and ’18 NCAAs, but now a few swim stars are in medal contention in the 100m fly at ’19 Worlds and the ’20 Olympics. I think Joe’s going to be tough to beat in Tokyo. He’s a big-meet swimmer and the crowd will be cheering for him. What do you think?
You can follow Joseph Schooling on Twitter here.
SEE JOE’S “TEXAS SPEED PRACTICE” FROM 2015 “EDDIE REESE INVITE”
This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
Plenty of distractions, not enough quality racing, unproven coach, lack of training partners…… Might be a great move for him personally, but not sure its a positive for his 2020 performamces
Why? He should be in Texas where he is successful.
The last two years in Texas were a disaster
49 to get on the podium in 2020. 49 first place. 49 for close second and a 49 3rd place wanna be! The 100 fly is going to be fast. Too many fast Americans and some fast foreigners to boot.
Doesn’t matter how he trains, I’m still taking Caleb for a WR and the win.
Nope. He will not win in Tokyo.
He still swam 50.50 in the 100 fly this year, which is a lot better than Schooling is now. Milak isn’t a sprinter, 200 flyers generally don’t do as well in the 100, even MP barely clinched his races. Le Clos is aging. If Dressel gets back to his 2017 shape he will win.
what insider information do you have?
He’s probably getting more money to train in Singapore. They will open practices up to the public from time to time, and have him race in certain meets for a nice payday, etc. It all makes financial sense. As to the question of will this actually help or will he beat Dressel in 2020? I think we all know the answer is no. But would staying at TX help him accomplish this? No also. So why not go where the money is, set himself up for life or at least the next 20-40 years (depending on his spending habits) and be happy with any medal (bronze would be the best bet) while being a national hero? Nothing wrong with that,… Read more »
Probably also puts him closer to his sponsors, more appearances, more money.
Plus, Singapore is beautiful, safe, great facilities, training in the same time zone up to 2020, great food, etc.
Safe… sure. Good thing Schooling is male, and looks like the indigenous population. I wouldn’t call Singapore safe for all cultures or races though….
2 Cents, where are you living? What a homophobic comment! It shows a complete lack of knowledge about Singapore. Get out of your town and travel a bit.
Not sure I got homophobic from 2 CENTS comment, but more maybe that of sexual assaults for females?
He has a great relationship with his family. Most people want to be close to family, especially when the pressure mounts.
Am I the only one getting vibes that Eddie is retiring soon? Jack and Joe within 24 hours announcing an exodus would be quite a coincidence if not.
Andrew Wilson is gone, too.
I think it’s inevitable to say Eddie is retiring soon. But, I don’t know if this is ‘people are leaving because he’s retiring soon’ or a symptom of the root cause. If you step back and think, how many Texas post-grads since the generation of Peirsol-Crocker-Hansen have stayed as post-grads more than a year past retirement? Since Eddie had his heart issues, I can’t think of…any? Feigen, mabybe? Eddie can’t be working 12 hour days anymore at his age, and it’s smart for him to focus on the college team (they pay a lot better). I always envision coaches like Eddie retiring after an Olympics (not sure if the data supports that, I guess Troy… Read more »
Where did Andrew Wilson go to?
Currently at Georgia, according to his Instagram, though we’re hearing it’s a ‘tryout’ for now.
Andrew should go train at Cal with Prenot & Whitley! (He did check out Cal awhile back but chose Texas instead.)
Would not be shocked to see Eddie Reuter’s after NCAA’s
If Texas wins a 5 peat at home, how else do you want to hang up your whistle?
His grandson is swimming for him so he might wait until he graduates
Reminds me of Milorad Cavic – similar talent, semi-USA background, doesn’t seem to mind playing the heel to USA wunderkind (Phelps/Dressel). Fun to watch.
Just an FYI, Cavic did not have a “semi-USA” background. He was born in Anaheim and went to HS in Tustin CA, then college at Cal, training afterward at Cal and at the Race Club. I call that a “USA-background” with Euro ancestry (Like a lot if Americans) not a “semi-USA” background. He likely would have swum for the USA but for the monopolization of US 100 fly spots by MP and Ian Crocker in the years leading up to the 2008 Olympics. The dude is American
washed up 😪
Disagree on that. I think Schooling swims faster than 50.3 in 2020, faster than ’16. The real question is…will a 50 point 5,4,3 make the podium? LC Worlds will provide a lens…
I think 50-low makes the podium but just. The big thing, though, will be – I think – that a 51-high won’t get a second swim and you’ll need a 51-very low, 50-high to make the final.
He swims a 48 in practice.
For whatever reason (schedule?), the 100 fly has not been historically fast at the Olympics. I wouldn’t be surprised if 2-3 guys break 50.00 before the Olympics, but a 50.2 wins gold in Tokyo.
Tea Rex…you got voted down by someone, but…..i think that could happen. I hope you’re wrong, but it could be slow, and, at the end of the day, 50.2 could win.
Because the key competitors over the years —- from Spitz, to Biondi, to Phelps, LeClos, Cseh —- were dead tired from swimming so many other events. The Nesty’s, Schooling’s and Cavic’s, who only swam the 100 fly (or in Schooling’s case through a bad semis of the 100 free), swam fast fresh and won or nearly won. Dressel clearly won’t be fresh if all goes to plan.
He wasn’t fresh in Budapest and dropped a 49.8
Exactly. He already was under a heavy schedule and still dropped a 49.8
I dont think it will. It would be even faster if they let more than 2 Americans swim…
Olympic record would have been faster than 50.39 had Ian Crocker not been sick in 2004.