Joseph Schooling, Joscelin Yeo among first Singapore Aquatics Hall of Fame inductees

SINGAPORE: One of Joseph Schooling’s earliest memories of Joscelin Yeo was a ticking-off for kicking a yoga ball around the Toa Payoh swimming complex gym.

“She pulled me aside and she said: ‘Jo, if you don’t respect the equipment here, get out. You don’t deserve to be here,’” said Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medallist.

“I was terrified … but now looking back, she probably did me one of the biggest favours. It’s about having those kinds of people to look up to and it’s really cool when they start becoming your peers.”

Years on, Schooling and Yeo shared the stage and joined 19 others on Friday (May 10) as the first inductees in the Singapore Aquatics Hall of Fame.

Launched this year, the hall of fame pays tribute to individuals who have made indelible contributions to the aquatic community in Singapore. 

“We will recognise, we will celebrate our most outstanding aquathletes. And also those who have done so much to develop aquatic sports in Singapore – coaches, administrators, sponsors, officials, volunteers,” said Singapore Aquatics legacy council chair Patricia Chan in her speech.

Chan, who has 39 gold medals from the South East Asian Peninsular Games - the predecessor to today's Southeast Asian Games - also made the Hall of Fame class of 2024.

“The Hall of Fame is where our history flows into our future. It is where we fan the flame of excellence that powers through the waters of Singapore Aquatics,” said Chan.

There were a total of 21 inductees, including five-time Paralympic gold medalist Yip Pin Xiu; teams such as the 1951 Asian Games gold-winning freestyle relay team of Barry Mitchell, Lionel Chee, Neo Chwee Kok and Wiebe Wolters; as well as contributors like water polo coach Kenneth Kee.

"It's awesome. It's a