28-year-old Joseph Schooling is retiring.

No, not from work; instead, Singapore’s first and only Olympic champion (so far) is retiring from competitive swimming.

Here’s how it all unfolded.

Everything About Joseph Schooling’s Retirement from Competitive Swimming

It all started from this social media post:

Given that it’s posted on 2 April instead of 1 April, it’s obviously not a joke. After all, even PM Lee slid into the comment section.

Later in the morning, he held a media session at the Chinese Swimming Club (CSC), saying, “No question is off limits, let’s have fun.”

Highlighting the emotional depth of the decision, Schooling described the journey as filled with ups and downs, ultimately leading to a sense of readiness to begin a new chapter beyond swimming. He reflected on his early passion for the sport and how his enthusiasm waned, prompting a shift towards new interests and goals.

He also expressed a desire to redefine the notion of retirement, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and application of the discipline, focus, and dedication honed in the pool to his future endeavors.