Sports

Michael Phelps Loses In The Best Possible Way

REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

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Craig Boudreau Vice Reporter
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Olympic gold medal hoarder Michael Phelps actually lost a swim race Friday, but he may not be too upset about this one.

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, who grew up idolizing Phelps, took home the gold in record fashion in the Men’s 100 meter butterfly event, The Daily Mail reported late Friday night. It marks the first time Phelps failed to win gold in the event and also marks the first-ever gold medal for Singapore.

Phelps wound up finishing in a three-way tie for second, alongside South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh.

“It was just a thrill to swim against Michael Phelps and all those guys,” Schooling said in a post-race interview. “I’m just ecstatic. I don’t think it has set in yet. It’s just crazy.”

Schooling set the new Olympic record by finishing with a time of 50.39 seconds.

Schooling grew up idolizing Phelps, and was even lucky enough meet his hero when he was 13 years old. Phelps said in his post-race interview “hat’s definitely off to [Schooling].”

Phelps has one more race to try and add to his gold medal count, which currently stands at 22 — he has 28 total medals. He will be racing in the 4×100 medley relay Saturday night.

Phelps said this will be the last race of his Olympic career.

“I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in this sport. And 24 years in the sport. I’m happy with how things finished,” Phelps said. “Being able to close the door on this sport how I want to, that’s why I’m happy now.”

But U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte thinks he will see Phelps in four years.

“I think so. I really think so. So Michael, I’ll see you in Tokyo,” Lochte exclaimed on The Today show Friday.

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