Joseph Isaac Schooling is a Singaporean competitive swimmer and national hero best known for winning Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. Born on June 16, 1995, in Singapore, Joseph showed an early passion for swimming. Inspired by his grand-uncle Lloyd Valdemar Schooling — Singapore’s first Olympian in the 1948 games — Joseph set his sights on making history. His parents, Colin and May Schooling, made huge sacrifices to support his training, even sending him to the United States to train under elite programs. 

🏊‍♂️ Joseph Schooling: Singapore’s Swimming Icon

Full Name: Joseph Isaac Schooling
Date of Birth: June 16, 1995
Place of Birth: Singapore
Nationality: Singaporean
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Notable Achievement: First and only Olympic gold medalist for Singapore 🇸🇬

Here’s a detailed look at Joseph Schooling’s family tree — Singapore’s first Olympic gold medalist and national swimming hero 🏊‍♂️🇸🇬:

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family Details

👴 Grandfather

Lloyd Valdemar Schooling

  • Eurasian of British-Portuguese descent

  • An influential figure in Joseph's early life and family legacy

👨 Father – Colin Schooling

  • Of Eurasian descent

  • Businessman

  • A former athlete himself (used to play sports competitively)

  • Very supportive of Joseph’s training journey

👩 Mother – May Schooling

  • Malaysian Chinese

  • Former real estate professional

  • Played a crucial role in guiding Joseph’s swimming career

  • Moved with him to the U.S. to support his training

🌱 Early Life and Background

Joseph Schooling comes from a mixed Eurasian and Chinese background. His father, Colin Schooling, is of Eurasian Portuguese descent, and his mother, May Schooling, is Malaysian Chinese. His maternal grand-uncle, Lloyd Valdemar Schooling, was Singapore’s first Olympian, having competed in the 1948 London Olympics in boxing—a legacy that inspired Joseph's Olympic dreams.

Growing up, Joseph showed remarkable talent in swimming. Recognizing his potential, his family supported his ambitions with full dedication. At the age of 14, he left Singapore to train in the United States, seeking world-class coaching and competition.

📚 Education & Training

  • Attended Anglo-Chinese School (Junior & Independent) in Singapore.

  • Trained and studied in the U.S. at Bolles School in Florida — a school famous for producing elite swimmers.

  • Later joined the University of Texas at Austin, where he trained with Eddie Reese, one of the most respected swim coaches.

  • Was part of the Texas Longhorns collegiate swim team.

🥇 Major Achievements

🏆 2016 Rio Olympics

  • 100m Butterfly – GOLD Medal

  • Defeated swimming legends Michael Phelps, Chad le Clos, and László Cseh.

  • Clocked an Olympic record time of 50.39 seconds.

  • First Olympic gold medal for Singapore, a historic national milestone.

🏅 Other Highlights

  • Asian Games Champion (2014): Gold in 100m Butterfly.

  • SEA Games: Multiple-time gold medalist.

  • Commonwealth Games: Bronze medalist.

  • World Championships: Finalist and semi-finalist appearances.

🌍 Legacy and Impact

Joseph Schooling is more than an athlete—he's a national icon. His Olympic victory united Singaporeans across generations and backgrounds. After his win in 2016, a public holiday was proposed (though not implemented), and the nation held multiple tributes in his honor.

He also helped ignite a new wave of interest in swimming and sports in Singapore, inspiring countless young athletes.

💬 Life Beyond the Pool

Joseph remains a beloved figure in Singapore. While his performance after 2016 did not match the peak of his Rio success, he continues to be celebrated for his contributions to Singaporean sports.

He served National Service (NS) in Singapore from 2022, and his return to competitive swimming remains an open door.

He has also been involved in:

  • Brand endorsements

  • Motivational speaking

  • Mentoring young swimmers

🧬 Fun Facts

  • Joseph idolized Michael Phelps growing up—and ended up beating him at the Olympics!

  • He loves football and is a fan of Manchester United.

  • Known for his humility and strong family values.

  • His parents mortgaged their home to support his swimming career.

🏆 Quick Fact:

Joseph Schooling’s family made huge sacrifices — including financial and lifestyle changes — to support his dream of Olympic gold. That dream came true when he beat Michael Phelps to win gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics — a proud moment for Singapore! 🇸🇬🥇

 

 

📜 Create Your Own Family Legacy!

Just like the Stefanie Sun family’s legacy, you can document your own family history with the Family Root App!

✅ Preserve Your Family Tree
✅ Share Achievements & Memories
✅ Connect with Relatives

 

 

​​​​​​