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Chat with Joseph
Schooling
 Echo: What thoughts went through your mind in the pool
when you first realised that you had won Singapore’s first
ever Olympic Gold medal, and in Olympic record time?
Joseph: The feeling was surreal and ecstatic but even before
I could celebrate the moment, Phelps, Chad and Cseh swam
to my lane to congratulate me. It was a great moment.
Echo: What do you attribute your swimming prowess to?
Do you reckon it is natural ability (superior genes) or is it
sheer hard work, determination and believing in yourself?
Joseph: I come from a sporting family. My grand uncle,
Lloyd Valberg, was the first Singapore Olympian in the 1948
Olympics. My dad and mum were competitive athletes in their
days as well and they exposed me to a lot of sports when I
was young. However, I must say that it is a combination
of everything – hard work, passion, determination and selfbelieve
are the attributes that every athlete should have. In
fact, if I have narrow down to one, it has to be hard work.
Echo: We understand that at a very young age of 6, you
had already put your mind to follow the footsteps of your
grand uncle, Lloyd Valberg. Can you recall what inspired
you and how you came to this decision.
Joseph: Grand uncle Lloyd and I had a few intimate
conversations where he described to me that to be in the
Olympics is very special. Just to walk in and see all the
spectators in the stands, to compete with the best athletes
in the world and to hear the roar and cheers of the crowd
is only possible when you are there! So I decided that I
wanted to be at the Olympics! I was determined and worked
towards this goal all the way!
Echo: Please give us an idea of your arduous preparations
for the Olympics. How many hours did you spend in the
pool and the kilometres swum each day? How did you
juggle your time between training and your studies, and
did you have to make sacrifices on your social life?
Joseph: Preparation for the 2016 Olympics started right after
London 2012. There were a number of major competitions
in the lead up, the Asian Games, SEA Games and NCAAs
just to name a few but a lot of hours were put in training.
A
typical week will consist of 6 days of training with up to 2
sessions a day including gym. On an average, I would swim
about 70km. A typical day for me will be as follows:
With a schedule like that, whatever time I have is used for
rest and recovery. There are a lot of sacrifices with regards to
social life but I do look forward to some time with my friends
where we will end up playing computer games, golf or just
relaxing. Proper time management is very important.
Echo: We have read about
your wonderful and
supportive parents.
Please share with
us their influence
on your journey
to be an Olympic
champion.
Joseph: My
parents are the
backbone and
support for me.
Without them, I will
not be able to achieve
or be where I am today.
They made a lot of sacrifices,
they spend a lot of time and money on me and they also
had to take turns to take care of me while I was at The
Bolles School. They always spend Christmas with me every
year now, support me at NCAAs and usually before a major
international meet, mum will make sure that she is in Austin to
help take care of my welfare.
Echo: What are some of your fondest memories of your
formative years in ACS and the experiences that shaped
who you are today?
Joseph: I had very fond memories of some of my teachers
and my school friends who have in their own ways, guided
and supported me through my years in ACS.
Echo: What are some of your hobbies or interests away
from swimming?
Joseph: Apart from swimming, I do like playing golf,
bowling, table tennis, pool and playing video games with
my friends.
 Echo: What are you majoring in and what plans/career
do you have in mind in the future after swimming?
Joseph: I am majoring in Economics for now and am
planning to take financial management or accounting as a
minor. I enjoy the financial aspects of business, investments
and also sports management.
Echo: Any closing words of wisdom for our young readers
who aspire to be world champions?
Joseph: Dare to Dream. If you have a dream, go all out
and pursue the dream. The journey will not be easy but it will
be worth it. A lot of time, hard work and sacrifices will need
to be made to be a champion. There is never a shortcut to
success.
Well done, Joseph! The nation and the ACS family are
extremely proud of you and we wish you all the very best
in your future endeavours.
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