Singapore swimmers Joseph Schooling and Tao Li were crowned the Singapore Swimming Association's (SSA's) male and female swimmer of the year respectively on Saturday night.

Schooling's mother, May, was on hand to receive the award from Hugh Lim, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth deputy secretary (Community, Youth and Sports) at the SSA's Awards & Appreciation Night at the Silver Garden Restaurant.

Singapore swimmer Amanda Lim received the award on Tao's behalf. Both Schooling and Tao are currently overseas.

Schooling, a final-year student at Bolles School in Florida, won five golds, one silver, and set four meet records at last month's SEA Games in Myanmar.

The 18-year-old also reached the semi-finals of the 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley at the Fina World Championships in Barcelona last July.

"I'm both surprised and honoured. It's always great to win awards and I'm happy that I'm moving in the right direction," said Schooling.

Tao, meanwhile, bagged four gold medals in Naypyidaw. The 24-year-old also clinched five silvers and two bronzes in the eight-legged Fina Swimming World Cup series, and reached the semi-finals of the 100m and 50m fly at the World Championships.

Said Tao: "There are a lot of good swimmers in Singapore. It's not easy to win, and I am very honoured and proud to receive this award. This award will spur me on to do even better this year."