Singapore's Joseph Schooling competes in the final of the men’s 100m butterfly swimming event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 22, 2018. AFP / Jewel Samad
Singapore: Singapore's first-ever Olympic champion Joseph Schooling, who beat Michael Phelps at the 100m butterfly in 2016, said Wednesday he will skip the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh.
"After careful consideration with my team, I have decided to pull out of the SEA Games. This was not an easy decision, but I am currently not at the level at which I hold myself to perform," he said in a statement.
"Ultimately, my country comes first before individual accolades."
The 27-year-old swimmer said he had decided to give his spot to his teammates "while I cheer from home and focus on my Navy duties."
Schooling relinquished his 100m butterfly title after failing to qualify in the same event at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and has dropped several hints that he might retire soon.
