Schooling wins 50m free gold, breaks Ang Peng Siong's 32-year-old national record

SINGAPORE - Joseph Schooling broke the longest-standing national swimming record on Monday evening when he clocked 22.47 seconds in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the SEA Games.

The previous record of 22.69sec was held by Singapore great Ang Peng Siong, who set the time on Aug 20, 1982, at the US swimming championships.

Schooling, 19, set the time on his way to winning his third gold of the Games, after triumphs in the 100m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay on Sunday. The win also kept up Schooling's unbeaten streak at the biennial meet with three golds in three events.

Thailand's Napat Wesshasartar was second in the 50m free race in 23.08, while previous winner Triady Fauzi Sidiq rounded up the top three (23.11).

Earlier, Tao Li added to her 50m butterfly gold with a win in the 50m backstroke. Tao clocked a Games record 28.90, ahead of compatriot Shana Lim who finished in 29.36. Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Anh Vien was third in 29.40.

siangyee@sph.com.sg

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