Husain Al-Musallam, Singapore’s Joseph Schooling and other legends celebrated for contributions to global aquatic sports.
SINGAPORE, 25 July 2025 — The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) inducted its Class of 2025 on Monday during the 22nd World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, recognising outstanding figures who have shaped aquatic sports worldwide.
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam was honoured as an Honor Contributor for his decades of leadership and strategic vision that have transformed global aquatics. Al-Musallam, who began his journey as a young swimmer in Kuwait, has dedicated his career to advancing aquatic sports governance, athlete welfare and global participation.
“Swimming has always been my passion from when I first swam as a young boy in Kuwait and then to represent my country at regional international competitions,” Al-Musallam said in his acceptance speech. “I always believed that swimming and sport will reduce the conflicts and will bring our children to have a better life and a better, safe world. Being elected President of World Aquatics four years ago was the greatest honour of my life.”
During his tenure, Al-Musallam has championed historic reforms within World Aquatics, including the formation of the Athletes’ Committee, increased representation of women in the Bureau, and initiatives to expand swimming facilities worldwide to improve water safety and participation.
The ceremony also recognised Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, recently elected as the first woman, first African, and first swimmer to become President of the International Olympic Committee. Coventry, an Olympic double gold medallist and multiple World Champion, was inducted into the ISHOF as an Honor Swimmer in 2023.
Singapore celebrated its own sporting hero, Joseph Schooling, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his landmark achievements. Schooling remains Singapore’s first and only Olympic gold medallist, having famously won the 100m butterfly at Rio 2016 ahead of swimming legends Michael Phelps, Laszlo Cseh and Chad Le Clos.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be able to stand up here today to collect this award,” Schooling said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the journey. And there were times where I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I didn’t know if I was going to succeed. Being up here is a real surreal moment. But I hope this goes to show that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from or what you do, but if you have a dream, dare to dream and get after it.”
Schooling paid tribute to his late father, whose unwavering belief in his dream remains a source of inspiration.
The ISHOF induction underscored a shared commitment among aquatic leaders and athletes to champion the sport’s values and inspire future generations.
Source: World Aquatics
