Singapore pin hopes on Schooling to beat six golds

SINGAPORE: Singapore will be looking to make a splash in the pool at the Asian Games in Indonesia this month as Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling leads a strong swim team aiming to surpass the six medals they claimed at Incheon four years ago.

Texas-based Schooling made history for the tiny island nation when he claimed their first Olympic success in the 100m but- terfly at the 2016 Rio Games and he will hope to improve on the three medals, one of each colour, he took home from South Korea.

“My goal for Asian Games is to do my best for the country, bring glory to Singapore and helping out the younger kids, we have a young team and I’m super excited particularly for the relays,” the 23-year-old told local media.

Schooling is pencilled in for five events in Jakarta as he builds momentum towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and while he is aiming high in Indonesia, Singapore is refusing to set medal goals for the record-sized squad they are sending to the Games.

A total of 265 athletes in 21 sports will be making the short trip across the Java Sea with Singapore officials looking for success in three specific disciplines.

“With the largest Team Singapore contingent heading to the Asian Games, we are certainly expecting the best of them,” Singapore chef de mission Lee Wung Yew said at a recent flag presentation ceremony.

“If you are looking at medal expectations, we are looking at three main sports – sailing, bowling and swimming – but we are also looking at possibly nice surprises in other sports as well.”