Schooling tops Phelps in 100m fly

SINGAPORE: US-based Team Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling swam to gold in the 100m butterfly final of the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite in Texas on Friday (Jun 4), beating record-breaking Olympian Michael Phelps in the process.

Schooling touched home in at 51.58s, 0.07s ahead of Phelps at 51.65s, according to results posted on the event's official website.

The Singapore swimmer's time was also behind his personal best of 50.96s. Phelps is the current world record holder for the event, recording 49.82s in 2009.

This was Phelp's second final of the night. He came in tops for the 100m freestyle with a time of 49.49s.

This result comes ahead of the Rio Olympics in August, where 20-year-old Schooling is aiming to win Singapore's first Olympic swimming medal.

Commenting on Schooling's performance, coach Sergio Lopez said: "It’s exciting times for Joseph. Swimming against Phelps, he missed out on his personal best by 0.6 seconds, but still placed first. I know he was excited to race Michael and I am very happy for him. This swim is another indicator that he is moving in the right direction for Rio."