Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday congratulated Joseph Schooling, 21, for his "stellar performance" in 100m butterfly semifinal at the Rio Olympics.

Lee updated his Facebook, conveying his congratulations to Schooling whose time of 50.83 seconds beat Singapore and Asia's record.

"He has done Singapore very proud!" said Lee, who also called on Singaporeans joining him to support Schooling in the finals on Saturday morning (local time).

Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who was visiting Team Singapore at the Olympic Games, also sent his congratulations on Friday.

"I look forward to seeing Joseph compete against the best in the world tomorrow. Together with Singaporeans back home, I wish him all the best!" said President Tan in his Facebook post.

Schooling's time in the second 100m butterfly semifinal was the fastest among the top eight swimmers for the final. Schooling's previous personal best was clocked at the world championships in 2015, when he won a historic bronze medal for Singapore.

Source : XINHUA