4 questions with Joseph Schooling's equally photogenic BFF Teo Zhen Ren

The 22-year old is also a national swimmer based in US.

Joshua Lee | August 15, 2016, 05:22 PM

Joseph Schooling is photogenic but getting bombarded with his face 27/7 can be a little tiring.

Next to every gold-medal legend is a "brother from another mother" who isn't afraid to shake things up a little.

We first noticed Teo Zhen Ren when he accompanied Schooling's dad, Colin Schooling, to witness the historic 100m butterfly swim.

In fact, Teo seems to have attracted quite a few fans himself. A number of young ladies also asked him for photos and selfies, which he obliged shyly.

Noticing the little commotion away from Schooling's fans, we decided to approach Teo at the Changi Airport this morning for a couple of questions.

 

Screen Shot 2016-08-15 at 15.45.25 Photo from Instagram user @teowhale

Mothership (MS): How long have you known Schooling?

Zhen Ren (ZR): I've known him since 2001, It's a long time, long long time.

 

MS: So what time did you wake up today?

ZR: (Chuckles) 3.30am? I stayed up to watch the Arsenal game. It ended at 1am so I slept for about 2 hours or maybe less than that. [Schooling] told me to come. He made sure I was going to come. At first I was just kidding, I was like, "I'm not going to show up" but yea, cos I knew him for so long, I knew he would be happy to see me.

 

Screen Shot 2016-08-15 at 16.03.24 Photo from Instagram user @teowhale

 

MS: What was the first thing he said to you when he saw you?

ZR: We just hugged it out. I asked him how tired he was. He was like, "Yea, I'm OK". I mean, we didn't go into much conversation cos he has to attend to the fans, but after this, I'm probably going to hang out with him. He's going to have a tight schedule, but I'm pretty sure I'll have some time to spend with him.

Screen Shot 2016-08-15 at 16.11.08 Photo from Instagram user @teowhale

 

MS: Cool, and currently you're based in Singapore?

ZR: No, I'm based in the U.S. That's why it's much easier for me to go find him. I went over to see him last year in Austin.

I'm currently based in Los Angeles, so it's just a 2-hour flight over. I'm back here in Singapore because I wanted to watch the race with my family. It was really nice, and definitely worth it. He did well. I think despite knowing that there's a big crowd waiting here for him, I don't think Joseph expected such a commotion.

He's so happy seeing everyone being so patriotic and singing songs about Singapore. That made him really proud, knowing that he achieved something greater than what he actually thought was possible.

 

 

Thanks for your time Zhen Ren!

This time, feel free to head out for a drink or two. You deserve it.

 

Need your Schooling fix again? Check these out

The People of Joseph Schooling: Olympics Edition

17 stuff Joseph Schooling did at Changi Airport when he returned from Rio Olympics

10 photos of Jo Schooling in pure joy after winning the Olympic Gold for Singapore

 

Top photo by Ng Yi Shu.

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