Commonwealth Games: Schooling rues poor start in 50m butterfly final, finishes seventh

Joseph Schooling off the blcks at the semi-finals of the 50m butterfly event held at the Tollcross Swimming Centre. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Joseph Schooling off the blcks at the semi-finals of the 50m butterfly event held at the Tollcross Swimming Centre. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

In the end, it was not to be for Joseph Schooling, who finished seventh in the 50m butterfly final at the Commonwealth Games.

The Singaporean, who stood to make history by winning the republic's first-ever swimming medal at the games, touched home in 23.96 secs, which was slower than his personal best and national record of 23.43 secs set during the heats at Glasgow's Tollcross Swimming Centre.

England's Benjamin Proud won the final with a new games record of 22.93 secs. South African duo Roland Schoeman (23.13 secs) and Chad le Clos (23.36 secs) took the silver and bronze respectively.

A poor start off the blocks cost 19-year-old Schooling dear as he struggled to keep up with the leaders.

He said: "In a short race like the 50m fly, the start is important. A good start will give you that edge and for those chasing, it will be hard to come back.

"I need to warm-down and refocus. I am really upset with my poor starts but it is something I have to think about and it is something that can be fixed."

Meanwhile, Amanda Lim finished seventh in the second semi-final for the women's 50m freestyle. She clocked 25.93 secs, which is below her personal best and national record of 25.38 secs set in the 2009 Asian Youth Games.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.