Butterfly only for Schooling at the world championships
He can be world-class in the freestyle and individual medley events, said his coach Eddie Reese.
But Asian Games gold medallist Joseph Schooling will stick to his strongest stroke - the butterfly - at next month's World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The 20-year-old, Singapore's hope for a first Olympic swimming medal in Rio next year, will be competing in the 50, 100 and 200 metres butterfly events in Kazan from Aug 2 to 9.
Schooling is also pencilled in for five relays, two of which are mixed races, although national coach Sergio Lopez told The New Paper previously that he may change the line-up if the swimmers are tired.
Speaking to The New Paper, Schooling said yesterday: "I want to win individual medals and the fly is my best shot, so I'm focusing on that."
The University of Texas undergraduate won nine golds at last month's South-east Asia (SEA) Games here, despite not fully tapering in his preparation.
On his training routine after the Games, Schooling said: "Nothing's been different.
"I'm just keeping the ball rolling from the SEA Games.
"I don't have enough time to change things now. It's all about the small things and I've taken care of that. Right now I'm getting myself ready mentally."
Schooling created a big splash when he made the 2016 Olympic "A" cut in the 100m and 200m fly, as well as the 100m free.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games 100m fly silver medallist made his debut at the biennial world championships in Barcelona two years ago.
He finished 10th in the 100m fly then, but could have made his maiden world-level meet final if not for a poor final turn.
Schooling said: "I don't worry about what happened in the past. I've done a lot of good things after 2013 and I'm a different swimmer."
Olympic champion Chad le Clos, who beat Schooling to the 100m fly gold at the Commonwealth Games, will be a favourite in the 100m and 200m fly in Kazan, even though the South African isn't in the world's top three in either event.
Schooling said: "He always steps it up when it matters... (but) I'm confident about all my events.
"It'll be fun to watch."
SEASON BESTS
50M FLY
- Nicholas Santos (Bra) 22.90
- Cesar Cielo (Bra) 23.11
- Henrique Souza Martins (Bra) 23.22
- Schooling's PB - 2014 C'wealth Games 23.43
100M FLY
- Konrad Czerniak (Pol) 51.37
- Yauhen Tsurkin (Blr) 51.44
- Evgeny Koptelov (Rus) 51.50
- Schooling's PB - 2014 C'wealth Games 51.69
200M FLY
- Daiya Seto (Jpn) 1:54.46
- Tamas Kenderesi (Hun) 1:54.79
- Evgeny Koptelov (Rus) 1:54.79
- Schooling's PB - 2015 SEA Games 1:55.73
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