It is close to dinner time as Joseph Schooling dives into the pool at the South Florida Aquatic Club, just outside of Fort Lauderdale.
While one could just about make out the faint growl of hungry stomachs, the quiet is broken as Schooling and his team-mates break into a sprint while Singapore head coach Sergio Lopez barks out instructions.
Lopez cracks a joke about getting to dinner on time just as Schooling reaches the wall. He wears a smile on his face. It is less than two months to the Olympics, but there is a steady calmness about the 21-year-old.
Singapore’s main hope for a swimming medal in Rio de Janeiro is completely in his element – focused and relaxed.
“There was a different sort of pressure in 2012, it was more of an external pressure,” said Schooling, referring to the London Games. “Now I focus on myself.
“I do it for myself and the people around me and I don’t worry about what other people say.”
A mature and collected athlete, it seems, has taken the place of the young upstart of four years ago who was eager to tip the scales.
“In 2012, I thought I could fight with (Michael) Phelps,” he said in reference to the 18-time Olympic gold-winning American.
“But I was not physically and mentally ready and my only experience was the SEA Games.”
He also admits being starstruck at the time, something he has overcome after competing regularly against Phelps and other top swimmers in the past few years.
“I have to feel like I belong at the Olympics and World Championships, rub shoulders with the best and not be starstruck,” he said, which is where he is now.
In fact, he was even able to beat his idol in the 100m butterfly at the Longhorn Elite Invite held in Austin, Texas last month. He finished first, in 51.58 seconds, the 13th fastest in the world this year.
Another confidence boost was his bronze medal in the same event at the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, last August.
“There is a peacefulness and control when you take your mark and you know you are going to do well and not going to mess up. It happened at the Asian Games and also at the worlds,” said Schooling, who added that he has had a year to gain ground on his competitors since.
“I’m the youngest guy. I’ve got the most to improve, I can recover faster. Every year makes a difference.”
Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh has clocked the year’s best time in the 100m fly. His 50.86 is just ahead of Phelps (51.00) and also Chad le Clos (51.56). All three are expected to be Schooling’s biggest threats to winning a medal.
Schooling will likely have to better his personal best of 50.96, clocked in Kazan, to be in contention of a historic podium finish.
Older, wiser, his preparation for his second Games has also seen him pay closer attention to his diet. The butterfly specialist admits he eats “a healthier version of everything”, for example, opting for his meals to be cooked in coconut oil if possible.
His living conditions have also improved. Last April, he moved out of the student dormitory to an apartment to get more rest, and not have to worry about others disrupting his schedule – a gruelling mix of school and training starting as early as 6am, six days a week.
TALE OF THE TAPE
JOSEPH SCHOOLING
HIS 100M FLY BEST (2015) 50.96
IN LONDON 2012, HE’D BE 1st
SEASON RANKING (51.58SEC) 13th
HIS CHANCES
Deep down I want to win, I know I can win, that would be my ultimate goal.
This article was first published on July 31, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
