Schooling pipped Phelps yet again at the second semi final of the men’s 100m butterfly clocking 50.83s, qualifying for the finals. The sub 51s timing is the fastest anyone has done for this sport at this Olympic Games. With the timing, he also created a new national and Asian record. Schooling came ahead South Africa’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist Chad le Clos at the semi final race.

Quah Zheng Wen raced with Michael Phelps in the other semi final, He came in at 52:26 and did not qualify for the finals. Phelps clocked 51.58s.

The 100m butterfly final will be held on Saturday morning (Aug 13, Singapore time) at 9.10am. All eyes will be on Schooling at the finals who is Singapore’s only male swimmer to reach an Olympic ‘A’ final.


Joseph Schooling pipped 21-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps in the men’s 100m butterfly heats today. Schooling clocked 51.41s to come in first in Heat 6. Phelps came in second, clocking 51.60s.

The 21 year old Singaporean keeps Singapore’s Olympic medal hopes alive in Rio, together with teammate Quah Zheng Wen, who came in 2nd at Heat 3 of the same event. Quah (19) clocked a personal best of 52.08s.
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