A Stunner in Rio: Phelps Beaten by 21-Year-Old in 100 Fly

Michael Phelps is used to being in a league of his own.

Joseph Schooling of Singapore celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 12, 2016. Clive Rose/Getty Images

RIO DE JANEIRO—Michael Phelps is used to being in a league of his own.

So it was strange to see him, after what he insists was his final individual race as an Olympian, crowding onto a medal stand with two other swimmers.

And it wasn’t even the top step.

In a changing of the guard that left him totally at peace, Phelps was beaten Friday by a 21-year-old who grew up idolizing the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. Joseph Schooling of Singapore built a big lead in the 100-meter butterfly and easily held off one of Phelps’ patented comebacks, leaving him at 22 gold medals with one race, a relay, left to go.

And that will be his final event, Phelps insisted.

No more comebacks.

“I’m not going four more years and I’m standing by that,” he said. “I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in the sport and after 24 years in the sport, I’m happy with how things finished.”

(R-L) Joint silver medalists, Michael Phelps of United States, Chad Guy Bertrand le Clos of South Africa, Laszlo Cseh of Hungary and gold medalist Joseph Schooling of Singapore celebrate on the podium during the medals ceremony in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 12, 2016. Clive Rose/Getty Images