Joseph Schooling, the Singaporean swimmer who made history by defeating his idol Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly event at the Rio Olympics, announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Tuesday. The 28-year-old shared the news on social media, marking the end of his remarkable swimming career that began with a groundbreaking Olympic triumph.

Schooling's retirement comes eight years after his iconic victory over Phelps, which earned him Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medal. Despite his early success, Schooling faced challenges in recent years, failing to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and experiencing a decline in performance following his gold medal wins at the 2018 Asian Games.

Reflecting on his decision, Schooling expressed gratitude for the experiences swimming had brought into his life, acknowledging both victories and defeats as valuable lessons that shaped his resilience. In an interview, he admitted to becoming complacent and emphasized the importance of humility and self-awareness in his journey.

Doubts about Schooling's future arose when he withdrew from last year's Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, citing his inability to perform at his best. Additionally, he faced controversy in 2022 after admitting to consuming cannabis overseas, resulting in disciplinary action and restrictions on his military service obligations in Singapore.

Despite stepping away from competitive swimming, Schooling affirmed that the sport would always remain a part of his identity. He expressed his intention to inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of challenges or setbacks.