Singapore has achieved a lot as a young nation, but when it comes to sports, the city-state, that has one of the highest GDP per capita had never reached the top.

That’s until Joseph Schooling brought back the country’s first Olympic gold from Rio. It’s a dream comes true for Schooling, his family and for Singapore.

CCTV’s Miro Lu has more from Singapore.

He received a heroic homecoming after winning his country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, 21-year-old Joseph Schooling has become a household name in Singapore.

It’s a victory for the entire nation.

After winning a silver in 1960, Singapore experienced a 48-year Olympic medal drought.

The spell was later broken by the controversial foreign sports talent scheme. Before Rio, all Singapore had garnered were two silvers and two bronzes. Few Singaporeans dreamed of an Olympic gold from a homegrown athlete.

But Joseph Schooling did and he achieved it at a young age.

When the world watched in amazement when Joseph Schooling beat his idol, American swimming-legend, Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly in Rio, Schooling and his family know this was no coincidence. He once said Michael Phelps inspired him to be the best, and here in Singapore, he has now become an inspiration himself.

At the aquatic center, a young swimmer asked Joseph what the secret recipe is for his success.

The boy who dreamed to be the world’s best from age six and worked towards that goal for the past 15 years laughs and said there is none, just hard work and dedication.